Counting Down To Camp: Jeremiah Attaochu

Sep 21, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu (45) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

When the Chargers entered the 2nd round of the draft, this is the spot where I thought they would surprise us with a O-linemen, unfortunately Xaviers Su’a-Filo was gone. Kyle Van Noy was gone soon after. So in my mind that left Louis Nix. Enter Jeremiah….

In 2010,  he played 12 games and recorded 23 tackles, 4 for a loss and 3 sacks. Started all 11 games he played in ’11, tallying 59-11.5-6 with 2 pass breakups, an 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles. He started all 13 games in ’12, producing 69-12-10 with a pass breakup and a forced fumble. As a senior in ’13, played defensive end in Ted Roof’s 4-3 scheme and posted 45-16-12.5 with 2 passes batted down and a forced fumble.

Do you see a pattern? He owns Georgia Tech’s career sacks record with 31.5, which ranks fifth in ACC history. Even at 6-3, 252 pounds the knock on him was he needs to get stronger when larger blockers get their hands on him. When does a OLB not in trouble in that situation. The weight room can fix that. Moving on….

The Key for me is Attaochu played as an actual 3-4 OLB. That is rare. The upside to this, the learning curve takes a nose dive, since he’s returning to a natural position. Imagine that, drafting a pass rusher that “ACTUALLY PLAYED IN A 3-4 SYSTEM”.