Matt Judon

Judon led the nation - at any level - with 20 sacks in 2015 and was named the 2015 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year by the conference's coaches. He leaves as Grand Valley State's all-time leader with 34 career sacks, surpassing the previous record of 32.5 set by Dan Skuta, who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Judon was a two-time first-team All-GLIAC performer who recorded 72 tackles, including 19.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, in 2014. That came after taking a medical redshirt in 2013 due to a knee injury. He also missed four games in 2012 with an undisclosed injury, producing 37 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while starting eight games. Judon played in the final seven games as a freshman, finishing with 14 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.

too often leaves his chest vulnerable and struggles to disengage once blockers latch on. has struggled with durability over his career, missing virtually all of the 2013 season with a torn acl, four games in 2012 with an undisclosed injury and the 2016 east-west shrine game with a "minor" injury suffered during postseason training for the all-star game and workouts.

IN OUR VIEW

good flexibility to dip under the reach of tackles, showing agility and balance to turn the corner, as well as a closing burst to attack the ballcarrier. coordinated athlete who breaks down well in space to lasso ballcarriers, showing good lateral agility, balance and patience to force opponents to commit before he does.

Fights to keep contain, showing the speed to beat backs wide and force them back inside. Long, strong arms to grab hold of ballcarriers and pull them to the ground. Good situational awareness. Gets his hands up in passing lanes and rips at the ball when pursuing from behind, forcing eight fumbles over his career.

strengths

Looks the part of an NFL defensive end, sporting a well-built frame with broad shoulders, long arms and a trim middle. Good initial quickness off the snap, accelerating smoothly to routinely cross the face of tackles as an edge rusher or when pulling to stunt back inside.

weaknesses

Was a man amongst boys at the D-II level and could struggle acclimating to the increased competition he'll face in the NFL. Overly reliant on his athleticism, showing limited development in his use of hands, to this point.

while judon comes with obvious level of competition questions, make no mistake, he was a dominant force at the d-ii level, leading the nation (at any level) with 20 sacks in 2015.

From a technique perspective, Judon is a work in progress but he boasts an NFL-caliber combination of build, burst and bend sure to earn him a draft selection - quite possibly overtaking current Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (fifth round, 140th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008) as the highest pick in GVSU history.

Prepped at West Bloomfield High School under head coach Jim Thomas

Named to the Spinal Column Newsweekly All-Area football team after collecting 89 total tackles, including 16 for loss, and six sacks

Named honorable mention All-Metro North by the Detroit News

Named to the All-Oakland County Football Second-Team by the Oakland Press

Named to the All-Westside First-Team by C & G News

Rated as a two-star recruit at defensive end by Scout.com.

Son of Earl and Pieretta Hairston

Accounting and engineering major.