It looks like the Kansas City Chiefs Special Team’s coach Dave Toub has a voice in their draft war room after all. You’d have to believe that’s the case because when they selected LB Ukeme Eligwe with the 183rd pick in the 2017 NFL draft, even some analysts replied, “Who?”
Ukeme Eligwe is pronounced, ew-KIM-ay ee-LEEG-way. NFL.com published the following statement about Eligwe’s past:
“Ukeme Eligwe went to Florida State to begin his college career. He was a contributor as a redshirt freshman on the SeminolesÂ’ BCS championship team in 2013, but played in just two games due to a foot injury the following year and was dismissed for violating team rules after the season. He was granted a medical redshirt for that season but decided to leave for the NFL Draft after 2016.”
He led Georgia Southern with 104 tackles in 2016 which also included 11 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles. Lance Zierlein says this about Ukeme Eligwe,
“… flashes a big, downhill burst when he’s free to race on an angle to a play-side run. Length allows him to dive and sprawl for additional tackle radius when pursuing to the edge. Willing to set a hard, inside shoulder against pulling guards to spill the run outside to a teammate. Asked to carry some man coverage responsibilities down the field. Matched up against Evan Engram on a few snaps and hung in. Is a freight train to the quarterback as a blitzer.”
His weaknesses include his play strength and he sometimes drops his head and consequently will lose sight of a RB with the ball in the process. The Chiefs need a stud LB who is a thumper but I can’t say that Ukeme Eligwe is that guy. He is a solid special teams player as witnessed below.
Here’s a Highlight Video of Ukeme Eligwe. From the tape… it looks like the Chiefs may have gotten themselves a good one and he can cover too.
Ukeme Eligwe LB Georgia Southern 2016 Highlights
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