Charles Omenihu Offers Quickness & Length Now But Also Has Potential To Be Exceptional 5-Technique

Charles Omenihu, DL
School: Texas | Conference: BIG 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-6 / 275 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd or 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: Michael Johnson

College Statistics

Player Overview

Charles Omenihu nearly left for the NFL draft last year when his good friends and teammates Malik Jefferson and DeShon Elliot made the jump. He decided to come back after some reflection as he knew that Texas still could achieve a lot going into the next season. He says it was the best decision he’s made in his life. Texas achieved its first 10 win season since 2009 and defeated a Georgia team who thought they got snubbed from the college football playoff. Omenihu was a big part of Texas’ success on the defensive side of the ball. He set career bests this past season in sacks, tackles for loss, and tackles. He was a force on the defensive line and made big strides from his junior to senior season as far as developing his technique, pass rushing moves, and quickness. He won the BIG 12 Defensive Player of the Year award this past season. What’s going to separate Omenihu from his peers is his body type and length which lends itself to both even and odd schemes. That versatility fairs well for him a player who can both pass rush and play the run. Combined with his above average athleticism for the position he’ll likely be a riser this draft season.

Strengths

• Solidly built with great length. Has good athleticism for position and can use his quickness to win outside or inside. Can be quick off the snap and split defenders. Also has enough flexibility to win off the edge.
• Has experience playing 3 and 5 tech on the line. Will be looked at by teams who run even and odd fronts.
• Shows good technique which has improved a lot over the season. Features a club and rip move that sheds offensive linemen and makes him disruptive.
• Great power and functional strength when his get off and technique right. Very intriguing flashes shown in this area.

Weaknesses

• Consistency consistency consistency. He knows the counter moves, he knows how low he should get, he knows relentless effort is key. Its up to him to execute it snap in and snap out.
• Tall guy, taller than a lot of offensive lineman, winning the leverage balance is hard for him. his hand placement is just too high on a number if snaps for him to be effective at gaining control over his opponent.
• Vision! At times he is much too preoccupied with winning his individual matchup than keeping tabs on where the ball is. I have see him go right past QBs and RBs. Must learn to walk and chew gum at the same time.
• Functional strength is ok but he definitely has the frame and build to get stronger. He should it would help with his power moves.

Let’s see his work:

More Charles Omenihu videos

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

As I’ll say for the rest of the offseason Stacy McGee should be out and that leaves room for the Redskins to add another talented defensive lineman to the rotation. This one doesn’t cost a first round pick but definitely has the upside and potential to be something special. Omenihu has all the tools to be a dominant defensive lineman at the next level he just needs work in key areas such as strength, pad level, and leverage, and using his arsenal of pass rush moves more consistently. This is no small task and will take some time. If you watch the tape you will see flashes where he does this well and he gets into the backfield so easy. It’s easy to see how scouts will love a guy like this because everyone will be thinking they could be the ones to teach him and everything clicks. Immediately Omenihu could provide much needed depth for the defensive line starters. This was a problem for the team down the stretch as players played through injury and veterans and young players on the line were released. He can still contribute immediately his rookie season while he works on areas that need improvement. I wouldn’t hesitate to put him in the game on a passing downs. His skill set is what you want to be molded and polished by your defensive line coach so that eventually he can become an every down player in the NFL. He’s come a long way and readily admits himself he has a lot more to learn. He has a lot of potential and proved in college he can be a big contributor. The important takeaway is that he knows he has to work 10x harder in the NFL and is willing to do it to be the best player he can be.