Arkansas Players in the 2014 NFL Draft

Featured, Football, Razorbacks, Red Wolves | May 10, 2014 by Sporting Life Arkansas | 0 Comments

CONGRATS TO A-STATE’S RYAN CARRETHERS

Selected 165th Overall in the 2014 NFL DRAFT

By the San Diego Chargers

Ryan Carrethers

2013: Bednarik Award Watch List . . . Outland Trophy Watch List . . . CBSSports.com’s Freaks List . . . Phil Steele’s, Athlon Sports, Sporting News and Lindy’s preseason First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection . . . Ranked No. 2 in Lindy’s “Top 10 NFL Talent” in the Sun Belt Conference.

2012: Athlon’s second team and Phil Steele’s third team preseason All-Sun Belt Conference choice.

2011: Played in all 13 games, including the last six as a starter . . . Leading tackler on the team among interior defensive linemen . . . 21 of his 29 tackles came over ASU’s last six games, including a career-high 7 against Louisiana-Lafayette . . . Posted at least 3 tackles in 5 games . . . Recorded 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

2010: Competed in all 12 games in a reserve roll on the defensive line . . . Recorded six tackles, including four unassisted . . . Tallied a career-high three tackles versus Navy.

2009: Redshirted and participated on the scout team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year varsity letterman . . . Posted 70 tackles and 10 sacks his senior season . . . Helped lead Brentwood Academy to three championship games . . . Named all-state and All-Williamson County in 2008 . . . Rivals.com Tennessee PostseasonTop 35 (No.33) 2009 among all players in the state . . . Also competed in wrestling at Brentwood.

PERSONAL: Born Feb. 26, 1991 . . . Son of Ryan and Alisha Carrethers.

Ryan Carrethers NFL Scouting Report

The Nashville-area prep led his school to three consecutive championship games. Also lettered in wrestling. Redshirted in 2009. Appeared in 10 games in ’10 as a reserve defensive lineman and had six tackles, zero for loss and zero sacks. Played in all 13 games in ’11, moving into the starting lineup for the final six games at nose guard — had 29-3-1.5. Started all 13 games at nose tackle in ’12, recording 68-3.5-1. Broke out in ’13, starting 13 times at nose tackle and tallying 93-8-4 with two blocked field goals. Lined up at fullback against Western Kentucky and rumbled into the end zone for a 1-yard score. Completed his career in dramatic fashion in the GoDaddy Bowl against Ball State, blocking a 38-yard field goal attempt that could have tied the game as time expired.

STRENGTHS

Big and thick with outstanding weight-room strength — maintains low body fat, squats a small house and bench-pressed 225 pounds 32 times at the combine. Has sheer mass and natural girth to dig in and hold his ground vs. double teams. Has a wrestling background and understands leverage. Has two-gap ability. Heavy tackler. Nice effort for a big man. Tough and durable. Solid personal and football character — is devoted to his craft and has a professional approach to the game.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks ideal height. Has short arms and small hands. Average initial quickness. Heavy-legged with limited range. Inconsistent contact balance at the point of attack — rooted out of the hole more often than he should be. Needs to improve hand use — quickness, placement and shed timing. Marginal pass-rush value. Stamina has to be monitored. Not a workout warrior — across the board was one of the worst combine performers, including a 7-foot, 2-inch broad jump and 8.29-second 3-cone drill, both combine worsts.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 5-6

BOTTOM LINE

Stoutly built, NFL-strong interior defender who was a literal and figurative anchor for the Red Wolves despite playing for four different head coaches. Could make a living occupying blocks and clogging run lanes as a two-down, rotational nose tackle in an odd front.

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