Story Poster
Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Film Don't Lie: Hunter Spears

February 20, 2018
5,145

When you win 10 games the previous season, it’s a lot easier to recruit players in the next cycle. Notre Dame is seeing the benefit of that right now with a Junior Day that is already paying dividends. First they added 4 star cornerback KJ Wallace immediately after that weekend. Now they’ve earned a commitment from a 4 star defensive lineman in Hunter Spears.

Spears has some work to do with his overall game, but he’s a young player that has the frame to be a monster at the next level. I like his raw tools and I see him as a future 3 technique defensive tackle to that can play inside next to Jacob Lacey.

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 280

Projected Position: 3 technique

ISD Grade: 90 (4 star)

National Average Grade: 90.4 (4 star)

What he does best:

Spears flashes a really good first step. For a bigger guy, he has good twitch. It may not always be consistent, but that kind be emphasized by Mike Elston once he gets to Notre Dame. Hopefully there is more consistency from him as a senior as well.

But you can see he has some suddenness and that shock that comes with it means he has some good pass rush potential. He beats this tackle more as an athlete than with his strength.

via GIPHY

I do see someone that can do some very good things as a power rusher because of his athleticism. I don’t even think he knows what he is doing here, but his speed converts to power and he has the tackle rocking back because of it.

via GIPHY

He’s a solid player at the point of attack when plays are run his way. He is long and is using how to use that length better. He shows he can do a nice job of separating and shedding to make a play. This play is a great example of him pressing his man and then finding the ball to make the play.

via GIPHY

I really like his motor. With big guys, that’s often half the battle. I don’t see motivating him to get going being an issue, though. Spears is someone that might not be involved in the initial tackle, but his hustle allows him make the play.

This next play might look pretty routine to people, but it’s far from it. Many players are concerned about only getting up the field and don’t understand what blocks may be coming their way. He could have reacted a shade quicker, but him recognizing down block and then wrong arm the counter trey is impressive.

via GIPHY

If not for the bad job by the opposite side end, what Spears did would have resulted in a tackle for loss for his teammate. The ball is supposed to be run directly inside of Spears with him being kicked out. The runner has to cut back the other way because Spears stuffed this.

I see a lot with his game that makes me feel he is going to be a strong player versus the run.

What he needs to improve:

I mentioned the consistency with his first step and that’s certainly a big deal. With that, he also has to be more violent with his punch. I see him separate and get off blocks, but the hands are split second late. If he gets stronger and quicker with his hands, he is going to be able to control people and be much more disruptive.

He is raw as a pass rusher even though this push-pull move is nice.

via GIPHY

He needs to work his hands more and use his length better. He also needs to be better at working an edge rather than a full man. When he works an edge, he also needs to be tighter on that edge. He’s not someone that look like he can dip and bend super well so everything needs to be tight or else he’ll struggle to finish at the quarterback.

I think the biggest thing is for him to play stronger and that may have everything to do with him being stronger. While he is a really nice looking athlete for his size, I want to see him be more of a bully on a consistent basis.

What’s his ceiling?

Anyone who saw a picture of him at Junior Day and how huge his legs are knows that he is going to be a very big boy in college. Wait until his upper body catches up a bit and he could be upwards of 290.

That’s one big reason why I see him as a 3 tech at the next level. I like him as an athlete, but I see him as average if it’s at end. As an interior player, he is a plus in that category.

His size and his get off are two things that trump everything else. If he shows the necessary growth with the rest of his game, then there is a lot to be excited about with Spears’ future at Notre Dame. The competition will be fierce inside with the talent the Irish are assembling there, but he projects to be a quality player that can play all three downs and enter into the rotation after a short time in the program.

I don’t think his ceiling is for him to be an elite interior player at the college level, but I think he has the chance to be a very good one similar to a Christian LaCouture at LSU. He put up 6.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5 pass deflections as a senior last season. If Spears makes significant progress as a senior or during the camp circuit, then my opinion of his ceiling will only change for the better.

 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.