Devaunte Sigler

A two-year starter at Jacksonville State, Sigler lined up primarily as a three-technique and gap penetrator for the Gamecocks, rebuilding his football career after his dismissal from Auburn. He played in 18 games as a backup at Auburn in 2011-12, but was kicked off the team for repeated run-ins with the coaching staff. Sigler worked as a brick layer in 2013 before walking on at Jacksonville State in January 2014, paying his way before being put on scholarship once he was ruled academically eligible a few weeks before the 2014 season. He officially transferred to FCS-level Jacksonville State for the 2014 season and started nine games, recording 36 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles to earn OVC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-OVC honors. Sigler started eight games as a senior in 2015 and collected 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, earning Second Team All-OVC honors.

in our view

Sigler has the athleticism to get upfield quickly and spend time in the backfield, showing the ball awareness and reaction skills to be disruptive. He isn't a strong point of attack player and needs to develop his hand technique and counter moves to be more of a factor once his initial move is ineffective.

plays too high and abandons his anchor. lacks the base strength to control the point of attack and is too easily moved. needs to load more ammo into his hands to generate consistent movement off the snap. prefers to go around blockers instead of through them. poor snap and play anticipation, taking himself out of the play due to his aggressive nature.

Needs a demanding positional coach to reach his potential. Lacks ideal experience with most of his game action coming against FCS competition. Durability is a strong concern, missing seven games and parts of several others the last two seasons with multiple injuries. Wore out his welcome at Auburn with multiple run-ins with two different coaching staffs.

strengths

Well-proportioned body mass. Moves well for his size with flexible ankles and lower body fluidity to cross the face of blockers. Excellent contact balance to stay on his feet and quickly regain his momentum when changing directions. Can split double-teams when he plays low to work off blocks. Backfield vision to look through the first wave and track the ballcarrier.

shows the ability to generate push with initial surge, using rip-pull technique to jolt blockers. active with consistent pursuit to the play. gets his hands up to knock down passes (seven passes defended and one interception the past two seasons) - also has a blocked kick on special teams. dug himself out of a hole following his dismissal from auburn, taking advantage of his second chance at jacksonville state.

WEAKNESSES

sigler couldn't stay on the field due to various injuries the past two seasons and although he put impressive flashes on tape, he wasn't a consistent playmaker - projects as a potential nfl back-up who can round out a rotation.

--Dane Brugler (2/21/16)