Overview Geathers elected to leave South Carolina early despite receiving an unfavorable mark from the NFL Draft Advisory review. A highly touted prep prospect who originally committed to Georgia and was also heavily recruited by Clemson, Florida and Florida State, Geathers is coming off of his best season with the Tigers. He has the size, strength and genes to intrigue NFL teams.
Entering his junior season, Geathers had decent production and only one career start. His junior season didn't get off to a great start -- he was suspended for the opener following an arrest outside of a nightclub. Once back on the field, Geathers posted career numbers in tackles (41), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (3.5) and seemed to improve as the season progressed.
Scouts would have preferred to see Geathers return for his senior season, primarily to develop solid technique. With only 13 career starts, he's still relying on natural size and strength and remains a very raw prospect. His unique tools and bloodlines, however, are intriguing enough that a team will likely gamble a midround pick on his upside.
Analysis Pass rush: Flashes a burst off the snap but appears to be guessing at the snap count and can be beat late. Shows a burst to close when he's given a lane, but unless he beats the offensive tackle with his initial burst, he lacks the sustained speed to collapse the pocket. Typically relies on a powerful bull rush to knock the tackle into the pocket. Flashes swim and rip moves, but doesn't use either often enough.
Run defense: His best asset. Good size and strength to anchor and create a pile. Has enough lateral agility to slip outside and keep contain. Despite his long arms and good upper-body strength, is inconsistent to shed due to marginal hand placement. Marginal balance and lateral agility to handle quick ballcarriers. Can be evaded in relatively tight quarters. Inconsistent pursuit downfield. Lacks the balance to change direction and the straight-line speed to catch up.
Explosion: Flashes an impressive burst off the snap for a player his size. Inconsistent. Lumbers downfield in pursuit, showing only average quickness and body control when changing direction. Heavy tackler but needs a lane to generate momentum for the big hit.
Strength: Good strength at the point of attack. Anchors well against double-team blocking and can hold the point. Can push the pocket as a bull rusher. Can drag down ballcarriers as they run by due to his long arms and good upper-body strength.
Tackling: Marginal balance and struggles to break down to tackle in the open field. At his most productive when slipping off blocks and using his wingspan to grab the ballcarrier coming through the line. Flashes some pop as a hitter when he gets an open lane to generate momentum.
Intangibles: Great bloodlines. Brother is current Cincinnati Bengals DE Robert Geathers, Jr. and both his father, Robert Sr., and uncle, Jumpy, played in the NFL. Arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public drunkenness Aug. 23 outside of a local nightclub. Sustained a cracked right orbital bone the night he was arrested. Was suspended for the first game of the season after arrest.
