Retrospective scouting report · Class of 2020Consensus #067
LB· Round 3
Julian
Okwara.
Sickos Grade
63.8/100
Pre-draft #67
LB· Round 3· Bend-first stand-up edge rusher with strong initial burst and active hand usage
Julian
Okwara.
Notre Dame· 6'4"· 252 lb
/ Recruiting profile
★★★★☆stars.9007
National · #296HS class · 2016Ardrey Kell, NC
247Sports composite via CFBD
R3 · #67 · Detroit Lions
02Scheme fit
Ideal system
Hybrid 4-3 pass-rushing front with multiple sub-packages featuring edge pressure and gap-shooting linebackers.
Wide-9 DEStand-up OLBDesignated Pass Rusher
Best role
Immediate situational pass rusher with the upside to develop into a starting SAM or LEO linebacker within two years.
Wrong fit
A traditional 3-4 two-gap defense where his lack of raw power and frame limitations would hinder his effectiveness.
Okwara's scheme fit is in defenses that prioritize speed and rush productivity from their edge defenders, rather than true power-based run stopping.
04The evaluation
Selected #67 overall in Round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft by Detroit Lions out of Notre Dame.
07Athletic testing
Height
6'4"
Weight
252 lb
Bench
27
06Athletic profilevs. LB on Big Board
— — — positional median (p50)
- 40 yd
- —s
- Vertical
- —in
- Broad jump
- —in
- Three-cone
- —s
- Shuttle
- —s
- Bench
- 27repp50
08College production
| Yr | Team | G | Tkl | Sk | Int | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Notre Dame | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Notre Dame | 12 | 14 | 2.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Notre Dame | 13 | 34 | 5.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | Notre Dame | 9 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | — | 45 | 70 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A dash means the figure is not published by a source we trust — never a zero we invented.
Draft Sickos · retrospective scouting profile