Azeem Victor

With a few notable exceptions (usually due to serious injuries), most clear-cut NFL prospects who opt to return for their senior seasons boost their grade. That will almost surely not be the case for Victor, however, a preseason All-American who was suspended twice in 2017, the latter of which for driving under the influence of alcohol. Despite missing the final four games of the 2016 season due to a broken leg, rival coaches thought enough of Victor to award him First Team All-Pac-12 honors. At the time of his injury, Victor was the leading tackler on a team that wound up winning the conference and representing the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoffs. He was suspended for the 2017 season opener for an undisclosed violation of team rules by head coach Chris Petersen, however, and never got on track the rest of the season, getting bench earlier in the year and finishing with just 30 tackles in nine games. Any chance at his rejoining the starting lineup withered with his arrest on the shoulder of Interstate Five in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 12 with four passengers in his car. Victor's best season actually wound up being his redshirt sophomore campaign back in 2015 when he was the top 'dawg with 95 tackles (including nine for loss) in 12 games. Victor also set career highs that season with six passes broken up, including an interception (that he returned for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles. BACKGROUND Named to the All-Valle Vista League first team as a senior linebacker ... also earned second-team all-area from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in 2012 ... attended Lynwood (Calif.) High as a sophomore and junior, playing defensive end and tight end ... rated the No. 62 outside linebacker prospect in the country and No. 86 overall player in California by rivals.com ... ranked the country's No. 106 outside linebacker recruit by scout.com ... played for coach Aaron Jamieson at Pomona.

in our view

Victor's career at Washington certainly ended on a sour note but if he can convince teams during interviews at the Combine that he has matured since, he possesses the talent to warrant draft consideration. He is an instinctive, physical linebacker who not only will make a team, he'll contend for early playing time with the raw talent to project as a future starter.

strengths

Looks the part of an NFL linebacker with broad shoulders, a v-shaped torso and good overall weight distribution, as well as room for additional muscle mass. Seems to enjoy the physicality of the game, playing with the raw fury of the traditional glass-eating linebacker. Aggressively takes on would-be blockers with an explosive punch and looks to take them out, sometimes knocking they and the ball-carrier into each other for two "tackles" on the same play... Lowers his shoulder and drives his hips into ball-carriers to deliver big hits and isn't satisfied with that, twisting opponents as they go to the ground and even getting in extra shots as until the echo of the whistle. Very good body control in tight spaces, showing the slippery athleticism to elude blockers and split gaps to create spark big plays at the line of scrimmage or when in pursuit. Good change of direction and a smooth accelerator among linebackers, showing graduate-level awareness of potential pass-catchers around him as well as the routes they might be running, cutting off passing angles. Counters his reputation as a trouble-maker with charitable work including his own "Azeem's Dream" which organizes donated backpacks and other school supplies and delivers them to children in need. -- Rob Rang 2/3/2018

compares to

Vontaze Burfict, Bengals - From their combative playing style to their off-field concerns to the fact that both - when under control - are starting caliber NFL linebackers, the chain linking the admittedly stouter 6-1, 250 pound Burfict and Victor is just too obvious to ignore.

weaknesses

Too often a step late to the action, showing more of a read-and-react style rather than anticipating where the ball is going. Once he sees where the ball is headed, too often Victor takes risky angles to get it, undercutting would-be blockers and allowing runners who see him coming to pony up to their cavalry to hide and squirt free on the other side, resulting in the kind of missed assignments that can leave coaches (and teammates) frustrated... Gets grabby in coverage, toeing the line between holding and providing a physical jam to re-route running backs and tight ends... Gets a bit ahead of himself as a tackler, at times, loading up to deliver a big hit and leaving cutback opportunities. Doesn't break down consistently, reaching his arms out to grab hold and 'rassle (or throw) ball-carriers to the ground rather than using traditional textbook tackling technique. Plays with little regard for his own safety, flailing his limbs around the pile and leaving himself vulnerable with a broken leg (2016) already in his medical chart... Comes with significant off-field red-flags which require further investigation. - Rob Rang 2/3/2018

Named to the All-Valle Vista League first team as a senior linebacker

also earned second-team all-area from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in 2012

attended Lynwood (Calif.) High as a sophomore and junior, playing defensive end and tight end

rated the No. 62 outside linebacker prospect in the country and No. 86 overall player in California by rivals.com

ranked the country's No. 106 outside linebacker recruit by scout.com

played for coach Aaron Jamieson at Pomona.

2017

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
2.0	0.0	30.0	0.0	3.0	2.0	21.0

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
1.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
3.0	0.0	68.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	46.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	27.0	27.0	1.0