Calijah Kancey Reminds Former NFL Scout of Warren Sapp

In the first five minutes of evaluating Pitt’s Calijah Kancey on his 2021 game film, the comparison went through my mind…

This defensive tackle reminds me the Bucs’ Hall of Famer, Warren Sapp.

That’s a hell of a comp, but that’s okay because Kancey is one hell of a player.

I sat through six games from 2021 and 2022, sometimes my eyebrows went up, and other times all I could do is laugh. I’m not doing this stuff for clicks as I’m trying to get back into the league as a scout and I have aspirations of becoming a general manager. I can’t afford to make mistakes.

I love Kancey.

My affectionate nickname for him is “The Tornado,” because that’s how he plays the position.

Imagine if Mike Tyson played football, and that’s Kancey.

Painting with words

What does Kancey look like on film?

You can see yourself in the games embedded below, but short of that, I will do my best to describe him.

He has a stout and evenly proportioned muscular frame that delivers devastating brute power.

Kancey is an alpha male’s alpha.

The impact he delivers at the point of attack against 300+ pound offensive linemen, is like if you washed your hands and stuck your finger in an electrical outlet.

He can bull rush a guard right into the quarterback’s face, or use his signature quick swim move to get into the pocket before guards even know what happened.

You think I’m exaggerating?

Click on the game film below, pop some popcorn, but I have to warn you, it may not be suitable for younger viewers. A sneak preview is found in the Tweet just below.

The only thing that slows his roll is double teams. He delivers some wicked shots. To be honest, I’m surprised Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong made it through the game.

Kancey hits like he’s trying to knock someone’s teeth out.

Complete player

Kancey brings it, not only as a pass rusher, but also against the run.

He can come off blocks and punish ball carriers.

Kancey can bang around with the big boys in the trenches. It fact, it fuels him.

Where does Kancey rank in this draft class?

It’s close, but second on the defensive side of the ball only to Georgia’s Jalen Carter. Kancey will be the second highest defensive player on First Round Mock’s First Round value board, which will be released at the end of this month.

This Pitt defender is a game changer who makes Alabama edge Will Anderson look like he’s a joke written on a Laffy Taffy wrapper. Myles who?

Kancey is a top-five value headed into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Detroit Lions (No. 6 and No. 18)

If I was Lions’ General Manager Brad Holmes, I would be finding a way to do whatever I had to do to move up to get Kancey.

It would be downright frightening seeing him lined up inside of their edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson.

It would take knee cap biting to a whole new level.

#8 Calijah Kancey 6-foot-0, 280 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Bust probability: Low

Projected by 7.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 12, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Western Michigan (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 game film reviewed: Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia

2021 stats: 33 tackles (23 solo and 10 assists), 1 pass defended, 7.0 sacks (38 pressures nfldraftbuzz.com)

2022 stats: 31 tackles (18 solo and 13 assists), 7.0 sacks (47 pressures)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Polished rotational tenacious pass rusher who can hold his own against the run. Vicious at the point of attack. Unleashes active violent hands to give offensive linemen all they can handle. Authoritative bull rush. Can also press through gaps to blow up the pocket. Athletic with a flexible bend to adjust quickly in the pocket. Closes hard. Chases it down like a hunter. Occasionally efforts stall out, but it’s a fight. Draws double teams. Appears to be setting the table when he stalls out. Keeps offensive linemen guessing. Deploys arsenal of pass rush moves (spin, swim, pull-and-go). Good stunting. Smells vulnerability. Against the run can hold his ground. Flashes explosive shed and a devastating tackling. Culture changer.

Final words

After the draft, his name will be on my next jersey.

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.