Dalvin Tomlinson

A one-year starter at Alabama, Tomlinson primarily lined up as a two-gapping end in Nick Saban?s 3-4 base scheme and transitioned well from rotational player to starter as a senior. He graduated from Henry County with a 3.9 GPA and was recruited from programs like Harvard before choosing Alabama over Georgia Tech. While playing soccer as a senior in high school, he suffered a significant left knee injury, which led to him redshirting in Tuscaloosa in 2012. Tomlinson made four tackles in the 2013 season opener, but suffered a season-ending right knee injury during practice. He returned healthy as a sophomore in 2014 and came off the bench in all 14 games, posting 22 tackles and 2.0 sacks. With A?Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen entrenched as the starters in 2015, Tomlinson was part of a heavy rotation as a junior and recorded 34 tackles. He became a starter as a senior in 2016 (15 starts) and finished with 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble, but was snubbed from the All-SEC team. Tomlinson uses a jarring punch to force blockers off balance and disrupts gaps with his technique and ball awareness. He is a power-packed hammer, but not a slug either with the coordinated feet to work through crowds. He also has the unselfish, mature make-up that will draw him to NFL coaches. As a NFL prospect, Tomlinson is a strong, tough-minded block-eater who won?t sell many jerseys, but he is NFL ready and his scheme-versatile traits won?t restrict his landing spot on draft weekend.

strengths

Large-framed athlete who carries his weight well. Nimble lower body to sidestep and quickly redirect through congestion. Upper body power and long arms to stack the point of attack, eating double-teams. Hips and feet stay in sync. Technically-sound hands to snatch-and-stash ? was Georgia?s first three-time state wrestling champion in high school (120-2 record). Quick to digest what he sees and stay disciplined, maintaining his gap integrity. Lassos ballcarriers out of his reach and chases with a determined motor. Reliable playing temperament and motivated by the memory of his mother, who passed away (June 2011) from heart disease and kidney failure. Well-versed with various techniques. Clean as a whistle and not the type of individual that coaches will worry about away from the facility. Highly intelligent with his undergraduate degree in finance (Dec. 2015) and will receive his second bachelors in financial planning in May 2017.

weaknesses

Limited pass rush traits. Doesn?t have the initial quickness to split gaps, relying more on timing than burst. Stands up at times and gets caught in hand fights, not going anywhere. Occasionally reverts to brute force over mechanics when countering. Powerful, but predictable plan and rarely surprises blockers. Unselfish player, but almost to a fault at times. Lacks ideal starting experience with only one season as a full-time performer. Medicals require attention after knee injuries sidelined him for his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa ? tore the ACL in his left knee (April 2012) and the ACL in his right knee (April 2012).

Ranked 149th in the Rivals250

Rivals.com rates him as the No. 11 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 11 player in the state of Georgia

Scout.com ranks him as the country's 17th-best defensive tackle

247sports.com lists him as the No. 21 player in the Peach State and the No. 22 defensive tackle nationally

ESPNU three-star prospect who ranks 42nd among defensive tackles and 56th in Georgia

first-team Georgia Sports Writers Association AAA All-State selection

SuperPrep All-American and the publication's No. 13 player in the state of Georgia

also SuperPrep's No. 53 defensive line prospect (ends and tackles)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11

No. 77 on the PrepStar Dream Team

PrepStar All-American and All-Atlantic Region choice

PrepStar's No. 11 defensive tackle

No. 50 in the Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120

had 109 tackles as a senior in 2011 with 8.5 sacks, four pass breakups and one blocked field goal

had 76 tackles with 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries as a junior in 2010

coached by Mike Rozier

chose Alabama over Georgia Tech.

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
5.5	7.0	62.0	0.0	4.0	3.0	17.0