DE Rankings: A Closer Look At #1 DE Kayvon Thibodeaux

With the off-season upon us we will be removing the players that have moved on to the NFL from our player rankings and re-ranking for the 2021 season. Before we jump into Kayvon Thibodeaux being ranked number one, here’s a few reminders about the rankings themselves:

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football DE Rankings here.

Oregon defensive end, Kayvon Thibodeaux holds on to the top spot in our rankings to start the 2021 season. Thibodeaux has been a nightmare for opposing tackles and quarterbacks the past two seasons. His continued development and incredible tools make him the pick at the top of the list. Thibodeaux will be the star leading the way for a talented Oregon defense in 2021 before becoming a top NFL draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

An Instant Impact Talent

Kayvon Thibodeaux was a top recruit in the 2019 recruiting class and was expected to carve out a role as a true freshman. He shot past even the highest of expectations and became a star for the Ducks. He had a bit of a slow start but closed strong, recording 10.5 tackles for loss in his last six games of the seaseon. Thibodeaux garnered more attention and double teams as the season progressed, but continued to wreak havoc. He finished the season with 35 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 4 QB hurries and a fumble forced.

The Pac 12 had the shortest season of the power five conferences. Nonetheless, Thibodeaux continued to showcase his talents during the 2020 season. He was stellar throughout the season, recording at least one tackle for loss in six of the team’s seven games and multiple tackles for loss in four of those games. He was the focal point for the opposing blocking scheme but was undeterred and produced anyway. Thibodeaux finished 2020 with 38 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups and 2 QB hurries in just seven games.

Thibodeaux’s Tools

At 6’5″ 250 lbs Thibodeaux is a long and athletic defensive end. He is quick off the ball and can get in the backfield in a hurry. He has the ability to bend around the blocker and close on the quarterback quickly. His speed, burst and closing speed make it difficult to keep him from getting into the backfield and making plays. Thibodeaux has learned to use his length and hands to compliment his athleticism as a pass rusher, making him even more dangerous.

That athleticism and length also allows him to be disruptive against the run. Thibodeaux is very good at closing off the edge or from the back side to make big plays in the backfield. His agility allows him to adjust to misdirection plays and cut backs off effectively. His length lets him keep blockers at bay and allows him to seal the edge. Again, his improved use of his hands as a sophomore was evident as he disengaged blockers to make the play.

Thibodeaux’s quickness gets blockers off balance and lets him get back inside and power past them to stop the run. He has added muscle to his frame and still has plenty of room to continue to fill out and get stronger as he matures. He is already difficult to keep out of running lanes because of his hands, quickness and strength, the added muscle will only increase the advantage he has upfront. Even when he does not get in the back field, Thibodeaux is a rangy athlete and has the awareness and length to tip balls in the passing game.

Kayvon Thibodeaux is a phenomenal athlete at the defensive end position. He has the frame and strength to be a speed and power mismatch for just about any lineman in college football. He has added polish and technique to his game and has become a more complete player as a result. There is more room for Thibodeaux to continue to improve, which is a scary thought for the competition.

Leading A Young And Talented Defense

Kayvon Thibodeaux will lead a young and talented defense in 2021. He will be joined on the defensive line by Brandon Dorlus, who was productive as a sophomore in 2020. Behind them, Linebacker Noah Sewell starred as a true freshman and will be joined by Mase Funa, who turned in a good second season on campus and the uber talented Justin Flowe, who missed 2020 with an injury. The secondary suffered because of some opt outs but that did allow other players to gain experience. Mykael Wright, Jamal Hill and Verone Mckinley all return after playing well in 2020 and will be joined by the likes of Dontae Manning who missed a lot of his freshman season with injuries but has the potential to be a key contributor.

There is plenty of talent on the Oregon defense and with Kayvon Thibodeaux leading the way up front this could be one of the best units in the country. He is a nightmare to gameplan for and will create plays for others around him. Oregon’s offense may need some time to get on track with a new quarterback at the helm, but the talented defense should give them the time they need to find their way. Oregon has won the Pac 12 two years in a row, Thibodeaux and company will be going for the hat trick in 2021.

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