Rahim Alem Scouting Report

Seeing significant playing time for the first time as a junior in 2008, Alem enjoyed a breakout season for the LSU Tigers. His eight sacks led the team and ranked him third in the SEC. Alem also recorded 11.5 tackles for loss and he was named to the All-SEC Second Team. With the offseason departure of fellow defensive end Tyson Jackson to the NFL, Alem was expected to be the leader of the defensive front in 2009. However, it never really materialized for him in what was a lackluster regular season overall in Baton Rouge. Alem played and started in all 12 games, but his numbers fizzled. He finished with 33 total tackles--8.5 for loss--and 4.5 sacks (a modest showing compared to his 2008 statistics, but his 4.5 sacks still led the team). Alem also topped the Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) with five quarterback hurries and he added two forced fumbles as well. Alem's stock was soaring--for good reason--after his junior campaign, but it has obviously tapered off due to this relatively uninspiring senior season. Still, he will certainly draw the attention of all kinds of NFL scouts leading up to next April's draft. Alem has decent size at 6'3' and 263 pounds, and he has run as fast as 4.67 in the 40-yard dash. It is Alem's speed that has molded him into a pass-rushing specialist. Against the run, however, he is a considerable liability, so--at least in the early stages of his professional career--he will probably see the field only in passing situations. It certainly won't hurt Alem's stock that he has proven to be extremely durable and he is also a standout performer in the classroom. He comes with no character red flags whatsoever. Alem's pass-rushing ability and his potential to improve could garner a pick as early as the third round in the upcoming draft.