T’Vondre Sweat: Human Avalanche

Wow.

That’s what I have to say after watching Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat on his 2022 game film.

Sweat looked like a man amongst boys out there.

It’s awesome watching him when he turns it on.

Yes, there are two different versions of this Longhorns defender. Sometimes he is soft at the point of attack and at other times he’s unstoppable (even against double teams).

There were quite a few plays in this block of game film study that were jaw-dropping and eyebrow-raising.

Elite traits

“Stick with the dynamic ones,” these were the words my scouting mentor told me (a man with four Super Bowl rings).

Sweat has dynamic ability spray-painted all over his game film.

– Size

– Explosive brute power

– Aggressiveness

– Quickness

– Quarterback-minded (really wants to get to the quarterback)

– Sound technique

– Solid wrapping tackler

Complete three-down difference-maker

Sweat can be as dominant against the pass as he is against the run.

Sometimes it’s like watching a college defensive tackle go back and play for his eighth-grade team and throw kids around for a game.

You’re looking for the ones who jump off the screen and Sweat pops.

This Texas defender is capable of great hand technique at the point of attack (initially when taking on a block). He either uses his tremendous explosive strength to swat the offensive lineman’s hands away or he uses an awesome (and quick) swim move to slip through a gap and blow up the pocket.

Because of how naturally dominant he is, he does draw a lot of double teams, but even then he has enough raw power and the sheer will to split a double team and win.

Against the run, Sweat showed time and time again he could power off or through a block and make devastating wrapping tackles.

Force of nature

Sweat has the elite ability of being able to take over.

It’s not every play by any stretch of the imagination, but it happened in every game and he made a real difference. That’s what teams are in search of. In today’s pass-happy NFL, on defense, it’s all about the pass rush and covering the pass. Those types are worth a first-round pick. Having a player like Sweat who can blow up the pocket from the inside is a tremendous value.

He was fun to watch.

However, it didn’t look like he was fun to block.

Inconsistency bug

This is the flip side of Sweat that I don’t want to talk about, but I need to put this on the table.

There’s all this glowing positive, and then the plays when he is easily handled by solo and double teams (when he puts it on cruise control) that’s keeping him out of the top 10.

NFL teams need to know this side of him does exist consistently on film.

#93 T’Vondre Sweat 6-foot-4, 362 pounds

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

Projected by 8.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 3, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): TCU, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Kansas State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 29 tackles (9 solo), 0 sacks and 4 passes defended

Note: Played basketball in high school (texassports.com)

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Disruptive athletic force who brings a real presence to the interior of the defensive line. Lines up with a coiled look in his hips. Good flexibility. Lots of energy. Big strong thick arms and body. Stout and broad. Excels shooting gaps or can get a strong push into the pocket straight-up pass rushing. Active and heavy hands. Really can move. Showed tremendous short-area quickness. Physical. Mean. Violent. Capable of collapsing the pocket. Will hunt down screenplays and make tackles. At other times content taking up space and hanging out. Inconsistent shed against run blocks.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Consistent motor?

2. Pass rush and pressure stats?

3. Looks dominant?

4. Consistent shedding run blocks?

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 is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.