Wisconsin's Profile for OBrien Schofield

O'Brien is a 2005 graduate of North Chicago Community High School in the Chicago suburb of Great Lakes, IL where he was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 24 player in Illinois and among the top 25 defensive ends nationally. O'Brien also ranked among the top 35 players in the Midwest by SuperPrep and among the top 75 players in the Midwest by Prep Football Report. Schofield was also an honorable mention all-state choice,a two-time all-county, all-area and all-conference selection and a two-time team MVP and captain. As a senior, he made 99 total tackles, including 11 QB sacks, and recovered four fumbles, and he also returned three kicks for TDs and one punt for a TD.

He redshirted at Wisconsin in 2005. In 2006, he saw brief action in 5 games, with no stats compiled. In 2007, he played in 13 games and tallied 7.5 TTs with a forced fumble. In 2008, he started all 13 games, and compiled a line, thusly: 27/13, 8.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 1 FR and 1 PD. In 2009, he really broke out (through 10 games he had already compiled 51 TTs, 19.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, etc.) Senior bowl invitee - damaged ACL during practice week on his second practice rush vs. UMass OL prospect Vladimir DuCasse. Will not be able to workout for scouts before the draft. Measurements - arm: 31.75" hand: 9.5" Notes: Compact, toned and muscular. When healthy, Schofield reportedly (self-reported) can do an 11'1" BJ, a 39" VJ, 26+ reps, and a max squat of 535 pounds. He says he has done the 3-cone in the 7.1s, as well.

Explosive player who gets off the snap very quickly and can use his hands to steer the OT, and to shed him with the counter. Elite pass rusher who also holds the edge pretty well in the running game. Same size and motor as Robert Mathis. Very good timed speed. Has been hand-timed as low as 4.43 at 245 pounds. Knows how to use a variety of moves to get separation from the OT, and closes quickly to the QB. Could probably translate to either a 4-3 DE or OLB (7.1+ 3-cone agility) at the next level. Showed he had the intelligence and lateral quickness to transition to OLB at the Shrine practices. Has produced at a high level against elite competition. Can bat balls. One of the top 5-6 pure pass-rushing DEs in the college game. Got better every year and was one of college football's most-improved plays during the 2009 season. May have some upside left.

Still a little bit of a one-year wonder. Smallish for a pro DE, and has not played LB at any level before. Not going to find that holding the POA is as easy at the next level, and will likely be run at. Has not exhibited the entire package yet, and is going to have to be used (at least initially) as a 3rd-down/obvious-passing-down DE. Injury status must be fully evaluated.

We believe had he not been injured, we might have all been talking about O'Brien rather than Brandon Graham coming out of that all-star game, and that he might have moved into the late first round with a follow on performance at the Combine. As it is, his draft status is now quite clouded, though he still holds value in the mid-2nd round for a patient team that can afford to wait for him to fully recuperate. This is one driven athlete who has even more to prove now and is anxious to do so. May last and slide and be a super value for some team as late as the 4th round.

User: tarkan
Date/Time: 01/6/2010 - 2:19PM CST
Predicted Round: Round 3

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