Calijah Kancey = Pocket Wrecker

Seeing Calijah Kancey on game film brings back memories of watching Hall of Fame defensive tackles John Randle (Vikings) and Warren Sapp (Buccaneers).

The reason why – – this Pitt defensive tackle (DT) is tenacious.

That’s the word I would use to describe Kancey if I was sitting in pre-draft meetings on a team – – tenacious.

Kancey. Brings. It.

In the nine games I evaluated over the past two seasons, he gave offensive linemen everything they could handle, and some.

Insatiable appetite for quarterbacks

Kancey is quarterback-minded. That’s a term I’ve coined.

In other words, he has one thing, and one thing only on his mind, and that’s sacking the quarterback.

He presses gaps hard and he shows bull rush power.

He. Does. Not. Quit.

Kancey is a vicious alpha street fighter from snap-to-whistle, and then…

He comes off blocks and launches himself at the quarterback’s face. My kind of guy. I could build a Super Bowl dynasty around this infectious baller.

Hammers running backs

Kancey is not a one-dimensional pass-rusher either. He’s a complete defender who lives for contact.

If he can’t hit the quarterback, he’s going to aggressively target the running back on running plays. He plays the run just as strongly as he rushes the passer. It’s just as important to him.

Kancey crashes in and crashes down hard on runs, he can fire through gaps for tackles for loss, and he drops the hammer on backs when he’s locked in.

Plays like football is important to him

When I was in Pro Scouting with the Jets, one of Bill Parcells’ critical factors of scouting was, “Is football important to him?”

With Kancey…the answer is a resounding yes.

It’s written all over his game film.

The answer is found just by watching Kancey’s relentless effort snap after snap after snap.

This defender is not just in it for a paycheck (like too many of them are), he’s in it to win it. Selecting players like Kancey is what moves the meter.

Expect Kancey to be in the running for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors

When I compare Kancey’s game film to Georgia’s All-World DT Jalen Carter, Kancey is in the ballpark. He’s a close on First Round Mock’s First Round Value Board.

Kancey can do it all, and he can even be a factor in coverage.

On a Virginia Tech screen pass, Kancey showed unreal athleticism when he spun and got outside on the perimeter to make the tackle.

I don’t listen to the non-sense about size concerns when a defender puts together game film like this. Pro Football Focus helped put this into further perspective:

To find a comparison for Kancey athletically, though, you have to go back even further — all the way to the beginning of NFL history actually. That’s because a comparison doesn’t exist. His 4.67-second 40-yard dash, 1.58-second 10-yard split, and sub-7-second three-cone are the best times for a defensive tackle ever. 

#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: Top-5

Bust Probability: Low

Projected by 32.7% (up from 7.5% on February 12) of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 12, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: North Carolina, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech

Previous article (with the other six games evaluated): Calijah Kancey Reminds Former NFL Scout of Warren Sapp

Level of Competition: High

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

Attacking versatile and athletic defensive lineman who plays with elite quickness and technique. Uses hands well and has long arms to deliver brutal power at the point. Relentless. Shows quick swim and spin moves. Can stunt and dart into gaps quickly. Can switch it up to an authoritative bull rush. Plays with extreme physicality and attitude. Draws a lot of attention and double teams. Sometimes can split them. Creates a lot of pressure and disruption. Produces some high impact run stops. Ends up in the stop or at least in position by the pile a lot of the time. Demonstrative. Exciting. Difference maker.

Final words

I love Calijah Kancey.

Send in the card.

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.