Namdi Obiazor

● Worked hard to develop bulk and add good weight ● Compete skills immediately noticeable on tape ● Sound tackler, using wide base and strong timing to ground his target ● Doesn’t always play up to timed speed but plenty fast enough ● Not shy using hands to fight off contact ● Bursty as a blitzer, with subtle shake moves to get home ● Enough quickness to shadow tight ends and backs in coverage ● Rock-solid football character; brings coaching points alive on the field ● Experienced on punt and punt return coverages

● Average length — doesn’t play long on tape ● Anticipation versus both run and pass are OK but not a clear strength ● Quick downhill reactions lead to missteps that are tough to make up ● Appears stiff in vertical and lateral transitions 496 Back to table of contents -- 500 of 629 -- ● Gets focused on blocks — needs to better see through to the ball carrier ● Average range reaching landmarks, in both man and zone ● Inconsistent with timing in coverage, which limits plays on the ball

A three-year starter at TCU, Obiazor played inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Andy Avalos’ 4-2-5 base scheme. A 190-pound safety out of high school, he started out at junior college before transferring to Fort Worth, bulking up and moving to linebacker in 2023. He was a dependable player for the Horned Frogs, posting 80-plus tackles each of the past three years. Obiazor is a well-rounded player. He is quick to scrape and maneuver his way through traffic, showing contact balance despite a noticeable lack of length. With large hands and competitive grit, he is a reliable tackler near the line and out in space. Though he plays with route recognition, he tends to bite early, and there is some feast or famine with his coverage reps. Overall, Obiazor has only average instincts versus both the run and pass, but his pursuit speed and compete skills lead to production. He will have a chance to earn a backup and special teams role as a rookie.