Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Predicting where prospects go in NFL Draft

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) warms up before the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) warms up before the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) stands on the field during the 1st quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) stands on the field during the 1st quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected Round: Mid-2nd

Had Shilique Calhoun left after his junior season and entered the 2015 NFL Draft, he may have been a first round pick. Heck, many had pegged him as a lock to be a first-rounder after last season, but he decided to return for his senior campaign, along with Connor Cook, to try and win a national title.

Calhoun’s dreams were dashed by Alabama in the Cotton Bowl and his draft stock took a slight hit. No longer was the star defensive end considered a first round lock, but instead a second-day selection, likely to go in the early-to-mid second round.

As a captain during his senior year and improving on all of his stats from his junior campaign, it’s tough to see why his stock dropped so much — considering he was double-teamed a good amount as well during his final season.

Strength is a big issue with NFL scouts as they believe he stands up straight too quickly after the snap, allowing the opposing offensive linemen to contain him more than he should be. His 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame is a very athletic, but he needs to add brute strength to his finesse game as a pass rusher.

Calhoun finished his senior year with 49 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss 10.5 sacks and three pass deflections — all career-highs.

Next: 4. Aaron Burbridge

Home/Spartans Football