Alabama linebacker Henry To’oto’o is Not a Playmaker

Henry To’oto’o was an interesting study on his 2021 game film.

The Alabama inside linebacker (LB) looked alert, smart, athletic and he had speed.

To’oto’o often could be seen pointing out assignments pre-snap to his teammates.

These characteristics were enough to impress a good number of NFL Draft platforms.

SBNation, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Network, The Sporting News, NBC Sports Chicago, 247Sports, CBS, Draft Kings, and the San Diego Union Tribune all put first-round grades on him.

Undoubtedly, the mold for inside linebackers has evolved into a more athletic position and To’oto’o fits this profile.

However, it always goes back to the game film.

Inside linebacker is violent in the NFL

To’oto’o was best when he could fire inside or get outside unblocked and make the stop.

He struggled against blockers – – whether that blocker was an offensive lineman or even tight-ends.

To’oto’o lacks strength and power at the point of attack, and that is a huge concern I have about him playing inside linebacker at the next level.

He has the athleticism to end up by the pile a lot, but ending up by the pile doesn’t move the meter.

To’oto’o is too reactive and tentative

Granted, there are times when he fired in and made a tackle at or near the line of scrimmage.

I love it when he did that, in fact, that is what intrigued me about him.

Those times were just too few and far between.

It almost looks like he is so smart that he has a tendency to “overthink” things. It’s either that or he is just not instinctual enough.

Something is going on.

On game film, it shows up time and time again that he is a step or two slow to react both in run and pass support. He is all over the place, but it’s not adding up.

🚩To’oto’o is much more a support role player than a playmaker🚩

Soft blitzer

To’oto’o blitzed often, but he was soft at the point of attack against offensive linemen.

Not only that, but he was hesitant and tentative when he was coming on blitzes.

I did not see anything in these three games that remotely suggested he was a force blitzing.

The stats confirm the game film – – To’oto’o had 5.5 sacks in three seasons combined (2019-2021).

Beware of pre-draft workouts

This is exactly the type of prospect who will dazzle everyone at his pro day and combine workouts.

To’oto’o is built to excel at these kinds of events.

He has the speed and athleticism to look like a superhero without the pads on, and some team is going to fall for it.

🚩Don’t get me wrong, there are things I like about To’oto’o, but the speed and athleticism don’t translate to the first three rounds on game film🚩

#10 Henry To’oto’o 6-foot-2, 228 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Fourth-Round – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 34.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 28, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 111 tackles (52 solo, 59 assists) 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defended, 4 sacks

Note: Transfer from Tennessee to Alabama (2021)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Active and athletic linebacker who can run, but he is too tentative and lacks power at the point of attack. Best when left clean or minimally challenged inside. Flashes ability to spearhead in and make tackles at or near the line of scrimmage. More often, had a difficult time shedding blockers in time. Able to drop into short zones and stay close in man coverage against backs and tight-ends, but he is a one-gear runner who only made one pass break-up in these three games. Tends to arrive after the catch has been made and the damage has been done. Not a sure tackler who can come in too high. Sent on a lot of blitz attempts, but did not disrupt the pocket. He looked like a safety trying to play linebacker.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. How does he look taking on blockers inside?
2. How does he look on blitz attempts?
3. How many passes does he break up or intercept in coverage?
4. Does he miss tackles?

I can’t envision him being a difference-maker in the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.