Miles Killebrew

Killebrew racked up an astounding 243 tackles over the past two seasons, including 132 as a senior to go with 2.5 tackles for loss, seven pass break-ups and another seven passes defended. He is a four-year starter who started 11 games as a freshman and finished third on the team with 69 sacks, and Killebrew followed that up with honorable mention All-Big Sky honors in 2013 by recording 54 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss. An area scout told NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah in November that he thinks Killebrew is a better football player coming out of college than Shaq Thompson (Carolina Panthers) and Deone Bucannon (Arizona Cardinals), two first-round picks, were when they entered the draft.

inconsistent tackling technique and often needs help to finish stops. eager to make contact on some plays, but his tape also shows several examples of him waiting for the ballcarrier, leading to negative plays. smooth pedal and redirection movements, but tends to lose sight of his man and needs to improve his feel in coverage.

IN OUR VIEW

a see ball, get ball type of player, killebrew is a safety/linebacker hybrid who doesn't always trust what he sees, but his physical ingredients give him a chance to develop into an nfl starter. he impressed with his awareness and closing speed during senior bowl practices, and should be a standout on special teams as a rookie before competing for starter snaps.

--Dane Brugler (1/28/16)

weaknesses

Struggles to control his momentum downhill, leading to unbalanced tackle attempts. Routinely late to diagnose and recognize the action, hesitating and not fully trusting what he sees. Bad case of tunnel vision, locking in on the pocket and not anticipating to get a head start and create plays.

physical run defender and downhill thumper, looking to tune up his target. plays tough with disregard for his body. much more comfortable tackling in the alley where he can size up and strike through his target.

Experienced on special teams coverages (three blocked kicks on his resume). Senior captain with the attitude and football character that will fit in an NFL locker room. Four-year starter and highly productive with consecutive 100-tackle seasons as a junior and senior.

a four-year starter, killebrew was a highly productive strong safety for the thunderbirds, lining up near the line of scrimmage and also single-high to patrol the middle and deep half of the field.

He moves well for his size and covers a lot of ground with an attacking mindset, but struggles to anticipate and needs to see things quicker. He is a physical presence and although he has NFL range, Killebrew does his best work when the field shrinks and there is less for him to process.

strengths

Well-built for the position with sleek muscle definition. Field fast and covers a lot of green with decisive strides to expand his range. Flexible hips with smooth pedal to transition in his movements and change directions well for a safety. Accelerates to close with a violent play style.

Earned all-state and all-city honors and was named defensive MVP last season as a defensive back when he tallied 77 tackles with three sacks and six interceptions.

Played running back and wide receiver for Coach Marty Redmond's Falcons, carrying 86 times for 392 yards and five touchdowns and scoring three TDs on the receiving end of the ball.

Two-time first-team all-league and academic all-state honoree he is also an African-American student union Top-One Percenter in the state of Nevada

Parents are Lisa and David Killebrew