PFF scouting report: Tyus Bowser, Edge, Houston

Name: Tyus Bowser

School: Houston

Position fit: 3-4 or 4-3 outside linebacker

Stats to know: Collected seven sacks in 2016 despite rushing the passer only 173 times (most full-time edge players are 350-plus).

What he does best:

Extremely athletic. Change of direction and explosiveness all off the charts.
Flashes bend around the edge. When offensive tackles don’t get a clean punch on him, he’s already around them on the outside.
Closing ability on quarterbacks is fantastic. Will convert pressures into sacks at a higher rate than most.
Superb agility for his size. Can cross the face of an offensive tackle without them even getting a hand on him.
Had a strong showing as a pass-rusher during the week of Senior Bowl practice.
High percentage of his pressures came in clean-up/pursuit situations. Doesn’t give up on plays.

Biggest concern:

Lacks physicality. Shies away from contact at times. Doesn’t seem to relish delivering a blow.
Always a step behind reaction wise. Whether it’s his first step at the snap or reading a run, he doesn’t seem to have an innate feel for either.
Likely a designated pass-rusher if utilized off the edge.
Balance in the open field is suspect. Never seems to be attacking ball carriers with a purpose.
Very little power in his hands. Running backs drag him for extra yards and linemen stone him on bull rushes.
High percentage of his pressures came either unblocked or late in the down. Didn’t have a high percentage of clean, one-on-one wins.

Player comparison: Connor Barwin, Los Angeles Rams

Early in his career Barwin offered little as a pass-rusher. It took him a while to come into his own before he became a true-dual threat as a pass-rusher and coverage 3-4 outside linebacker in Philadelphia. Bowser could one day fill a similar role.

Bottom line: Bowser is about as raw as one could possibly be with four years of major college football under his belt. When he won as a pass-rusher, it was purely because of his athletic advantage. He’ll need to be taught how to take on blocks at the next level and is pure projection at this point.