Gators’ Gervon Dexter Sr. Flashes Explosive Power

Gervon Dexter Sr. is an awesome combination of raw power and athleticism.

The name of the game is disrupting the pocket, and Dexter flashed on game film he can push the pocket – – and I mean push the pocket hard.

He has awesome brute strength that can extend and lock out at the point of attack.

It’s the kind of power that can put a guard or center on skates and drive him back into the quarterback’s (QB) face , like he did against LSU and Tennessee.

It’s all about finding difference makers in the first-round, and Dexter is one of them.

Dexter gets an “A” for effort

I can’t tell you how many players I have seen over the years who take plays off.

Nothing irritates me more than watching players who have the ability, but they choose to dog it.

I want guys who sell out and leave it all on the field, and Dexter does just that and he has won me over.

He gives it everything he has to give. A couple of times, I even saw him chase a play way downfield.

Complete defensive tackle

Dexter shows he can make high impact, game-changing plays in both passing and running situations.

He consistently showed during this three-game study, he can rock lineman as a pass rusher. He additionally demonstrated the ability to come off a block and make a devastating tackle at the line of scrimmage.

The nice thing about him against the run is he holds his ground.

Dexter is like the oven in the kitchen. It’s practically impossible to move him out of his area.

What’s the main concern with Dexter?

The main concern that showed up on game film is his inconsistency taking on and shedding blocks in time on running plays.

He shows he can do it, but for whatever reason, Dexter gets tied up with blockers and fails to get in on the run stop too many times.

Then there are other moments he comes off a block textbook style and blows up the back at the line of scrimmage.

I charted 32 times in three games he couldn’t get off the block in time to make the stop.

That needs to improve, and I know it’s in him because against UCF, he bench-pressed a guard at the point of attack.

Dexter gets fired up

It’s one of many things I love about him.

At times, he visibly shows his emotion and gets fired up.

Having players like this is infectious.

It also reinforces football is important to him.

#9 Gervon Dexter Sr. 6-foot-6, 312 pounds

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

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 34.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 8, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

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

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 50 tackles (20 solo, 30 assists), 1 pass defended, 2.5 sacks (7 pressures 247sports.com)

Note: He is drawing comparisons to Javon Kinlaw

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Athletic disruptive lineman with awesome brute power who looks the part as a pass rusher and as a run defender. Athletic cut frame, long arms, and thick strong legs. Brings a high impact at the point of attack in passing situations. No nonsense approach as he can rock blockers hard and fully extend at the point to create separation before moving in for the kill (LSU and Tennessee). Capable of overpowering blockers and bull rushes with authority. Draws doubles and can still get a push into the pocket. Sometimes stalls out, but he’s a handful and blockers have to give a strong effort against him to neutralize. Loves to bang around with the big boys and shows extreme physicality against the run. Does an outstanding job holding the point and standing his ground. Inconsistent shedding in time. Flashes blow up run stops. Strong and hard wrapping tackler. Impressive and dominant alpha male who will move the meter.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he show improvement disengaging on run blocks?
2. Does he show consistency on game film or is he still flashing?
3. Does he show any pass-rush moves?
4. What does his sack/pressure production look like at the end of the season?

I like Dexter. I like him a lot.

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.