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Brugler blabs ’bout Bryce:
16. BRYCE HAGER | Baylor
2010: Redshirted
6006|234 lbs|5SR Austin, Texas (Westlake HS) 5/4/1992 (age 22) #44 GRADE 5th-6th RoundMEASUREABLES Arm: 31 3/8 | Hand: 09 | Wingspan: 74 3/8
COMBINE 40-YD: 4.60 | 10-YD: 1.60 | 20-YD: 2.69 | BP: 26 | VJ: 35 | BJ: 09’09” | SS: 4.36 | 3C: 7.15 PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)
2011: (13/0) 2012: (13/10) 2013: (9/9) 2014: (13/13) Total:(48/32)
13/0.0/0.0/1/0 124/9.5/4.0/2/0 71/2.5/1.0/0/1 114/12.0/2.0/2/0 322/24.0/7.0/5/1
BACKGROUND: A two-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Hager was barely a blip on the recruiting radar with only a few scholarship offers, committing to Baylor and redshirting in 2010. He played in every game as a redshirt freshman on special teams in 2011 and earned the starting middle linebacker job as a sophomore in 2012, finishing with a team-high 124 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors. Hager started the first nine games as a junior before an injury ended his 2013 season, recording 71 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors. He returned healthy in 2014 as a senior and started all 13 games, finishing with 114 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, two sacks and his first (and only) career interception, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors. Hager accepted an invitation to the 2015 East-West Shrine Game.
STRENGTHS: Advanced read/react quickness with accurate diagnose skills…alert and instinctive, not getting fooled by misdirection and zone reads…high FBI (football intelligence) and directs traffic pre-snap – made all the defensive checks based on his reads…attacks the line of scrimmage with a physical demeanor…not an elite athlete, but plays fast and stays controlled with range to make sideline plays…breaks down well in space with strong hands/wrists to finish tackles…anticipates well in coverage to float and undercut routes…motor is always running with the pursuit skills to track down ballcarriers…accountable and highly competitive with NFL intangibles on and off the field – gets the most out of his talent…productive starter with 322 career tackles at Baylor…NFL bloodlines – father (Britt) was an All- American linebacker at Texas and still holds the school records for tackles in a season (195) and career (499); drafted in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft and played nine seasons in the NFL.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal size, length and growth potential for the position…suspect functional power at the point of attack and too easily eaten up by blockers, struggling to keep himself clean at the line of scrimmage…needs clear lanes and struggles to use his peripheral vision to simultaneously avoid blocks while tracking the ballcarrier…needs to use his reach better and load more ammo into his hands…stiff and struggles to change directions, needing a moment to collect himself…lacks secondary quickness after contact with only one gear, slow reaching the sideline at times…inconsistent spatial instincts and doesn’t achieve proper depth when moving in reverse…past durability issues, missing the final four games in 2013 due to a groin injury that required surgery (Feb. 2014).
SUMMARY: Hager received a walk-on opportunity at Texas where his father starred in the late ‘80s, but once he received a scholarship offer to play football in Waco, the family changed allegiance from burnt orange to green and gold. A three-starter for the Baylor defense, he directed traffic and acted as a coach on the field, reading pre-snap and orchestrating his teammates. Hager plays controlled in pursuit with the instincts to key/read/flow, but his limited physical traits will hinder his role at the next level – projects as a mid-to-late round pick and reserve in a 4-3 scheme.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2476297-predicting-every-nfl-teams-surprise-rookie-gem/page/30
St. Louis Rams: LB Bryce Hager
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY SportsHaving traded running back Zac Stacy for nothing more than a seventh-round draft pick, the St. Louis Rams will want to see that seventh-rounder turn into a productive player for their team, especially if Stacy goes on to have success for the New York Jets. The player they selected with that pick, No. 224 overall choice Bryce Hager, could prove to be well worth it.
Hager, who had 322 total tackles over the course of his four-year career at Baylor, is a rangy and instinctive linebacker who is good at finding his way to the football and finishing with strong tackles.
Although he is small for a true middle linebacker at 6’1” and 234 pounds, he nonetheless offers the versatility to play all three linebacker positions in a backup/rotational role for the Rams. He could struggle to get off blocks against NFL offensive linemen, but he is a solid run-stopper who can attack lanes as a blitzer and also drop back into coverage.
On a team with limited depth behind starters James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree and Akeem Ayers, Hager could have a legitimate shot to emerge as the top rotational player in St. Louis at his position. A smart, high-motor player, he should be ready to contribute on defense as a rookie, whenever his number is called.
Even if Hager doesn’t carve out a significant role on defense in 2015, he should earn his spot on the 53-man roster by standing out on special teams. His ability to recognize and chase down ball-carriers should translate well to coverage responsibilities on kickoffs and punts and can make him well worth the Rams’ seventh-round investment.
Agamemnonhttp://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1762147/bryce-hager
05/05/2015 – A closer look at the Rams’ nine picks: Round 7/224 – Bryce Hager, LB, 6-1, 234, Baylor…Hager’s father Britt played nine seasons in the NFL, including his final year in 1997 with the Rams. Head coach Jeff Fisher was Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator in 1989 when he was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the draft. Hager played six seasons for the Eagles and his next two with Denver. Fisher said Bryce is similar to his father in being a “sideline-to sideline” player that plays fast and urgent. Led Baylor last season with 114 tackles in 13 games. – The Sports Xchange
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Rapid read-react to locate the ball. Very disciplined in reading his keys and reacting to the ball, letting the play unfold rather than let the misdirections of the offense distract him or take him off course. He quickly diagnoses the ball and gets up field with ease, sorting through the trash inside the tackle box very well. Very efficient mover with very little wasted movement, quick feet and an impressive closing burst. Excellent open field tackler due to technique and discipline. Keeps his shoulders square on contact, chops his feet, and wraps up consistently. Stacks/sheds well, showing the ability to lock out blockers and disengage quickly. He is a snap to whistle player with an impressive understanding of his position.WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t generate a lot of power on contact and lacks the sand to hold his position against bigger, stronger blockers. Occasionally misreads the depth of the ballcarrier resulting in poor angles to the ball. Unable to overcome this due to not having great speed or being an overly impressive athlete, rather a good one. Has a tendency to go around blockers instead of through them which can result in plays going by him. Struggles in space to stay with faster players, particularly in coverage as he tends to take false steps. His COD ability is inconsistent and he needs work on his coordination, particularly in situations where he is in pursuit at, or close to, full speed. Lacks the consistent body control to stop/start – quick/agile runners can give him trouble in space.
Compares to: Paul Worrilow, Atlanta Falcons — Worrilow (6-0 232) is nearly identical in size to Hager and has a very similar skill-set. Both players are undersized and hyper-active with very good instincts, the ability to quickly diagnose plays, and tackling. Worrilow has posted 269 total tackles in two seasons after being brought into Atlanta as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Hager will likely be a late round prospect who has all the intangibles to come in and make a similar impact for a team early in his career.
Player Overview
Hager comes from NFL bloodlines — his father, Britt, is the all-time leader in tackles at Texas and was a nine-year NFL veteran.Bryce was an all-state linebacker and running back in high school before accepting a scholarship to Baylor, rather than attempt to walk-on at his dad’s alma mater in Austin.
Bryce Hager redshirted his freshman season in 2010 and in 2011 he contributed primarily on special teams and as a reserve linebacker. He won the starting middle linebacker spot in 2012 and recorded 124 total tackles (first in the Big-12), 72 solo, 9.5 TFL, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. His 2013 season was productive as he averaged 7.9 tackles per game but he missed the final four games of the season due to a sports hernia surgery.
Hager saved his most productive season for his last, finishing 2014 with career highs in solo tackles (76) and TFL (12) to go along with 114 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 INT, earning his second-team All Big-12 honors.
Hager is an undersized inside ‘backer and plays with a high football IQ and excellent field awareness. While Hager doesn’t possess ideal size or strength, he has the frame to handle more weight and get stronger in the future. He doesn’t generate very much power on contact and lacks the sand to hold up at the POA vs bigger, stronger blockers but he makes up for this by showing an innate ability to sort through the trash inside the tackle box.
Hager does an excellent job of keeping his shoulders square from snap to whistle while having very active feet which allows him to outmaneuver blocks in space regularly while keeping himself in perfect positions to make open field tackles. He has very good closing speed and plays with a high motor. As previously mentioned he isn’t overly powerful but his hips snap on contact and he wraps up consistently, resulting in him packing some pop and being a very reliable tackler. Hager is a player who wins with smarts, technique, and instincts rather than sheer athleticism.
AgamemnonSo you got no love for Hager?
Hager is fine. But he wasn’t making any flash plays and I really like Cook. Well he did make one, where he stuck a guy at the goal line.
I have Hager making the team. He might eventually replace Laurinaitis. But maybe, Keshaun Malone is a better player?
Agamemnon
Video, meet the hidden gems of the Rams. => http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2478305-meet-the-hidden-gem-of-st-louis-rams-2015-draft-class Agamemnon
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