Te’von Coney, ILB, Notre Dame #4
6001, 240, 4.67
Notes: From Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Surprised many at the time when he picked the Fighting Irish over the Florida schools. Played in 12 games on special teams and as a reserve linebacker, credited with 13 tackles and 0.5 TFL in 2015. Suffered a shoulder injury against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl and was sidelined from 2016 spring practice. Played in all 12 games and started 9, recording 62 tackles and 1.5 TFL in 2016. In August of 2016, he and four teammates were arrested for possession of marijuana after a traffic stop in Fulton County (Indiana). Played in all 13 games and started 7, with 116 tackles, 13 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF and 1 FR in 2017. Graduated in May 2018 with a degree in philosophy and minor in business in 3 ½ years. In a plea agreement in June 2018, he was sentenced to a year of probation, finally settling his legal case from the previous arrest incident nearly two years prior.
Positives: Very quick-twitch, explosive and athletic. Smart, quick to react and decisive to the ball. Outstanding instincts. Comes hard when he blitzes, takes on and fights through blockers. Uses his hands to shed quickly Refuses to stay blocked. Very intense and aggressive. Very good range and closing speed. Makes plays all over the field. Excellent inside-out pursuit. Out-quicks blockers in space. Can penetrate into the backfield and chase plays down from the backside. Will step up and fill with authority. Strong, punishing tackler. Always looks like he’s running downhill. Gets good depth on his pass drops and shows ability for coverage.
Negatives: Shorter than you would like. Needs work on pass coverage.
Summary: A bit undersized, but an excellent weak-side/inside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Should be an early-round pick.
