Brian Rolle Scouting Report

Ohio State University's outside linebacker Brian Rolle is an undersized prospect who relies on instincts and aggressiveness that can pack a punch. Rolle is a two-year starter at linebacker who finished the 2009 season with 94 tackles, good for second on the team. Rolle is a fiery player that can really hit and has a nose for finding the ball-carrier.

The problem for Rolle though is that he is extremely undersized for the position at the NFL level. Prototypical outside linebackers are at least a few inches taller and inside linebackers can sometimes be even bigger. But because of his speed and penchant for tackling, it is possible that Rolle projects as a strong safety in the NFL.

Due to that positional projection though, Rolle doesn't quite fit with what most teams want out of the strong safety. For teams that line up their strong safety to assist in run support, Rolle is a good fit. He plays downhill toward the football. If he is going to stay at OLB, he needs to work on his hands, not for catching, but for disengaging from would-be blockers. Using his hands in space to get free from blockers who, in the NFL, will be much larger and stronger than him. In the end, he may make a good nickel back.

His cousin, Antrel Rolle, is a free safety with the New York Giants.

Brian Rolle projects as a late sixth to seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.