April 22nd, 2011 
Jeremy Fuchs 
Posted in 
ROSS HOMAN, LB, OHIO STATE
Triangle Numbers: 6, 240, 4.68
Scouting Reports:
Positives: Has a very high motor, takes good pursuit angles and does not give up on plays… Is very good in zone coverage, drops back with eyes in the backfield and does a great job of reading the eyes of the quarterback… Smart and disciplined, knows assignment and maintains gap/coverage responsibilities… Does not miss a lot of tackles, wraps up and drives feet, but is not a particularly powerful hitter… Good at changing directions and scraping through traffic, will get across field to make plays on other side of the field… Uses quickness to get off blocks, is not easily blocked away from line of scrimmage… Natural leader of one of nation’s best defenses… Had a very productive 2009 season (108 tackles, two sacks, five interceptions), was second on team in 2010 with 72 tackles despite missing two games (foot injury), first on team with 6.55 tackles/game… Tremendous athlete, blew up the combine with a fast 40-time, the fastest 10-yard split of all the linebackers (1.56 seconds), 32 bench reps, and a 35.5″ vertical jump.
Negatives: Is productive, but probably won’t be a big-time playmaker in the NFL… Needs to get better in man-to-man coverage, is sometimes fooled by play action when assigned to cover an eligible receiver… Has had some durability issues in the past, struggled through several minor injuries including turf toe and hamstring issues… Can get lost in line-of-scrimmage traffic, is small enough to slip through gaps, but struggles when engulfed at line… May have difficulty bringing down larger NFL backs, will not drive ball carrier backward regularly… Has never been much of a pass rusher, has good quickness and instincts, but lacks the burst to regularly be called on for pass blitzing.
A shorter, tightly wound linebacker who displays good body control and footwork in his drop. Exhibits the ability to sit into his back-pedal, read the quarterback’s eyes, cleanly redirect and make a play on the football in zone. Possesses good instincts and natural ball skills and routinely is flowing toward the play. Now, isn’t real explosive when asked to get out of his breaks and lacks great range in coverage, as he can be exposed in space. But he is physical when asked to play in man and knows how to re-route tight ends/backs off the line and cleanly flip his hips and run.
Plays with a good motor, works hard in pursuit and has a real nose for the football. However, isn’t the most physical of defenders inside the box. Exhibits an above-average pop at the point when asked to take on linemen in the hole, but struggles to quickly shed and make a play on the ball. Can be washed out of plays inside and knocked off balance easily trying to make his way toward the ball carrier. Is a solid wrap-up guy who can routinely get his man to the ground in tight areas but will overrun the football and struggles to break down when asked to tackle in space.
Impression: A smart, savvy linebacker with above-average body control in the pass game and a nose for the ball. However, he lacks ideal size and isn’t a real explosive athlete. Looks more like a solid reserve type who can be a spot starter when need be.
Ohio State Buckeyes outside linebacker Ross Homan is a three-year starter with a high motor, good football IQ and plays sideline to sideline with intensity. The knock on Homan right now is his speed and size. As the NFL has become more and more athletic over the last 10 years, defenses are simply looking for bigger and faster players across the board. Homan, listed at 6’0 and 227 pounds, is undersized for the position despite being one of those players who is said to have a “nose for the football”.
Homan’s speed is also a question mark. Given his size, the fact that he’s listed as having run a 4.75 40-yard dash is a concern. In all likelihood, after being drafted, he would be asked to bulk his body up which would only take away his speed.
With those negatives in mind, the kid can flat-out play at the college level. He plays tough, is an excellent tackler and can diagnose plays very quickly. Homan can sometimes get eaten up by blockers if he gets sucked into the trenches, but he maintains a good path to the ball carrier by playing well with good quickness and quality pursuit angles.
If Homan were a few inches taller with an extra 20 pounds of muscle on his body while maintaining his speed, he could easily be a mid-second round prospect.
VIDEO:
[pro-player width='530' height='253' type='video']http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlcs2Wbzow[/pro-player]
GiantsGab Thoughts:
Ross Homan is a mid round linebacker prospect who is undersized, but has made plays at the collegiate level. Small, but instinctive, Homan just makes plays. Great athlete. Can drop into coverage. Not the most physical in the box, but not passive either. The only thing preventing him from being a consistent starter is his size. He could maybe start in a Tampa 2 system like the Colts, where his size wouldn’t be an issue. On the Giants however, his size will render him to nickel packages and special teams. The Giants could draft him and use him in those situations, but for Homan, a better fit would be a team like the Colts.
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Hey Fuchs,
as this guy is described, I can’t help but think of Antonio Pierce.
A pound lighter, makes plays, and good in coverage.
I could see this guy in blue, but a mid rounder for sure.
These scouting reports are very inaccurate.. They say he ran a great 40, n on the next one, they say his speed is questionable!?!?
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