Austen Lane

Lane arrived on the Murray State campus at 220 pounds. He added nearly 50 pounds over four years while maintaining the burst off the edge to rank as one of the most dominant pass-rushers in all of college football. Starting a combined 19 games and registering 82 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks over his first two seasons with the program, Lane had established himself as one to watch. No one could have projected his breakout junior season in 2008. Despite only starting 10 of the 12 games in which he played, Lane exploded for 68 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks earning first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference honors. A year later, despite constant double-teams, Lane proved his junior campaign was far from a fluke, registering 64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. The OVC Defensive Player of the Year and finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, Lane was invited to the Senior Bowl, proving to be a surprisingly effective pass rusher throughout the week of practice. His time in Mobile was highlighted by a fumble recovery and return for a touchdown that helped the North pull off the 31-13 victory. Even with the additional 50 pounds he added over his career, Lane isn't yet strong enough to hold up against an NFL running game. He is surprisingly refined as a pass rusher and has a blend of burst and size 3-4 and 4-3 defenses can work with. A team willing to invest a mid-round pick in Lane could see the move pay big dividends down the road.

strength

Plays with better leverage than his height would indicate, but has been able to get away with his athleticism at his level and struggled when run at in Senior Bowl practices. Has potential in this area, but might be a year in an NFL weight-room away from contributing.

explosion

Is quicker off the snap than his size would indicate, but lacks the explosiveness to accelerate past the tackle cleanly. Burst is again evident in his ability to close when the ball-carrier is near. Lacks the strength, at this time, to be an explosive hitter.

tackling

Classic chase and drag down tackler, with the ability to stalk and close on the ball-carrier behind the line of scrimmage. Good hustle to chase laterally and downfield. Rare combination of height, long arms and agility to tackle elusive athletes. Wraps his arms to generally make the tackle when he's able to get a hand on the ball-carrier.

intangibles

A unique athlete that is expected to work out well. Reportedly has been timed at a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash and has a 35-inch vertical jump at nearly 270 pounds... Easy-going personality and is well-liked by his teammates and coaches. Helped himself with a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

run defense

Needs to improve in this area. Long arms and quick hands to shed, but lacks the power and sand in his pants to hold up when run directly at. Quick enough to beat the tackle outside to seal the edge, but too often aggressively crashes inside, abandoning his containment responsibilities. Good hustle laterally and downfield.

pass rush

At least adequate initial burst to cross the face of the tackle and shows a late burst to accelerate. Attempts to rip through his opponents' hands but needs to add strength to be more effective in this area. Has an effective spin move back to the inside and outside as a secondary move when his initial rush is contained. Lack of upper-body strength is evident in his bull rush, though he has the leg drive and long arms to eventually be effective with this technique. Long arms to limit passing lanes, but has to be more consistent in using them.

Lane made 14.5 sacks on defense and caught 31 passes for 717 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense his senior year at Iola-Sandinavia High School

earned all-conference and all-region honors for defense and offense and was selected all-state as a defensive end and all-state honorable mention as a wide receiver

had five blocked punts, 77 solo tackles, 61 assisted tackles and four fumble recoveries his senior year

earned two letters as a member of the Thunderbirds’ basketball team and was named second team all-conference in 2004-05.

Full name is Austen D. Lane

born on Nov. 9, 1987

son of Mark and Julie Maher.