Chris Worley

Given all of the talent at Ohio State it would be easy to overlook Worley - except for the fact that he lined up almost everywhere and developed a reputation for playing his best in big games. A veteran of 50 games over his career, Worley was a starter 24 times for the Buckeyes, including 10 times in 2017 despite missing three games due to a foot injury. Versatility personified, Worley earned starts at all three linebacker positions at one point or another in 2017, alone, finishing with 56 tackles, including 5.5 for loss to earn Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades from league coaches. On a squad full of future early draft picks, Worley raised his game when the lights shined brightest. His four double figure tackling games coming against Oklahoma (career-high 11 in 2017 and 10 in 2017), Michigan (career-high tying 11 in 2017) and Clemson (10). Worley was even better in 2016, his first full season as a starter at Ohio State. Starting all 13 games inside, he recorded a career-high 69 tackles (including 43 solo stops), including 4.5 tackles for loss, as well as an interception and forced fumble. BACKGROUND Worley interned with Columbus' CBS affiliate, WBNS-TV, in its sports department during the summer months of 2017. His experiences included shooting video as a cameraman at the 2017 Memorial golf tournament... Worley led Glenville to an 8-2 record his senior season by recording 89 tackles with nine sacks, five interception returns for touchdowns and five forced fumbles. For his career he had 161 tackles, 13 sacks, eight interceptions and seven forced fumbles...

in our view

Baker isn't the biggest or fastest linebacker in the 2018 draft but his smarts and proven versatility will be valued at the next level with a Day Three selection likely.

strengths

Worley possesses a tapered, athletic frame with broad shoulders and room for additional muscle mass. He is an aggressive defender not afraid to "shoot his gun," attacking the line of scrimmage to create splashy plays. Perhaps his best attribute is body control, as Worley shows very good lateral agility to elude blockers in tight spaces, showing almost running back-like quickness and instincts to get skinny through gaps, as well as the aggression and timing in his punch to deliver a forceful pop on opponents to disengage quickly. Worley also shows very good timing on blitzes to affect quarterbacks. He is a generally reliable open-field tackler who generates impressive power, gathering speed to and through the collision. He looks to wrap his arms securely and possesses good hand-eye coordination, as well as the long arms and strong hands to trip up ball-carriers. Voted a team captain prior to the 2017 and was labeled "the heart and soul" of the linebacker room by former linebackers coach Luke Fickell, who now serves as the head coach for the University of Cincinnati. -- Rob Rang 2/3/2018

compares to

D.J. Alexander, Seahawks - Originally a fifth round pick by Kansas City three years ago, the 6-2, 233 pound Alexander has carved out a successful NFL career due to his ability to play outside and on special teams. Worley's ability to handle multiple roles could generate similar interest.

weaknesses

Worley possesses relatively slim limbs for a linebacker and the lack of power generated from them can leave him struggling to get away from blockers when they are able to latch on. He is overly eager to attack the line of scrimmage, too easily getting sucked in by play-action and showing just fair awareness of receivers around him. He can get himself in trouble as an open-field tackler by hunching his shoulders at the moment of impact to deliver big blows and leaving himself vulnerable to cutbacks with too many whiffs on tape. Worley missed three games in 2017 with a foot injury, which warrants a closer look by team doctors at the Combine. - Rob Rang 2/3/2018

One of the final prospects in the Class of 2013 to commit to attending Ohio State, doing so on Jan. 11

a special mention Associated Press all-state pick as a senior, Worley led Glenville, coached by Ted Ginn, to an 8-2 record his senior season by recording 89 tackles with nine sacks, five interception returns for touchdowns and five forced fumbles

for his career he had 161 tackles, 13 sacks, eight interceptions and seven forced fumbles

a Top 25 senior prospect in Ohio (No. 20 by 247Sports and No. 25 by ESPN)

Worley extended a streak of Glenville Tarblooders signing NLIs with Ohio State to 12 consecutive years

24 Tarblooders have become Buckeyes since 2002, including past greats like Super Bowl players Donte Whitner and Ted Ginn, 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and 2017 first-round NFL Draft pick Marshon Lattimore.

Worley is the son of Michelle Bandy and Chris Worley, Sr.

he has two older sisters, Chrishelle and Christine, an older brother, Eric Smith, and a younger brother, Cahlied.

2017

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
5.0	4.0	56.0	0.0	2.0	1.0	35.0

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
4.5	1.0	69.0	0.0	4.0	0.0	43.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0