Andrew Sweat

Sweat was a highly-touted linebacker recruit at the prep level, choosing Ohio State over Penn State, Alabama and Florida. He saw limited action as a special teams player in 2008 as a true freshman, recording 5 tackles. Sweat was the back-up weakside linebacker in 2009 as a sophomore, finishing with 15 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception. He became a starter at strongside linebacker in 2010 as a junior (10 starts), recording 41 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1 pass break-up, 1 forced fumble and 1 pick-off. Sweat had his best season in 2011 as senior (11 starts), finishing second on the team with 72 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3 pass break-ups, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Sweat is a tough, throwback ?SAM? linebacker who never really lived up to the high-billing as one of the top recruits out of high school ? didn?t become a starter until his junior year in Columbus and had trouble staying healthy (multiple concussion issues). He gets the most out of his ability with high football intangibles and leadership ? was the only senior starter last season for the Ohio State defense. Sweat is a consistent and physical in-the-box defender, but is limited athletically and projects as a short-area reserve in the pros. He was a three-down defender in college, but will need to make a living on special teams to stay on a NFL roster and is a borderline draftable prospect.

strengths

An active defender who plays fast with a nonstop motor ? downhill athlete. A smart and instinctive player with very good football intelligence. Diagnoses the play quickly and rarely makes mental mistakes. Aggressive against the run and fills the hole hard, taking good angles and playing fast in pursuit. Has very good functional strength and is a strong tackler. Plays with very good intensity, effort and attacking mentality with a nose for the ball. Possesses a competitive nature and attacks the line of scrimmage. Was asked to drop a lot in coverage in college and has a good feel in zone. Plays with a finishing attitude. Has high football character and is a team-first defender ? very coachable and has extensive experience on special teams coverage.

nfl comparison

Josh Hull, St. Louis Rams

weaknesses

Limited athletically with very average speed. Lacks first step burst with below average acceleration ? one speed player with poor range. A straight-line player with stiff hips who lacks fluid change of direction skills. Slides off too many ballcarriers and struggles to quickly shed blocks or sift through the trash. An inconsistent open field tackler and lacks great length. Has limited starting experience and production with only 21 career starts and only 133 total tackles over his career. Has strong durability concerns, missing several games over his career with various injuries, including multiple concussions.

113 tackles, 21 TFL, five forced fumbles, two interceptions as a senior

160 tackles as a junior

Washington County athlete of year

ESPN All-America

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fab 22” as a junior and senior

Under Armour All-America game

Top 100 ranking from ESPN, Scout, PrepStar, Superprep

also a baseball and basketball starter

National Honor Society, SADD, Team Trinity, Peer Jury, Spanish club.

Son of Gary and Cheryl Sweat

father played football at Syracuse

majoring in business administration.