26 Aug Preseason Scouting Notes: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
Redshirt Sophomore | 6’1″ 236 lbs | Indianapolis, In
An inside linebacker who has speed and quickness for the modern NFL passing games but must build his play strength to help disengage from blocks
Overview:
Cameron McGrone is a redshirt sophomore and former 4-star recruit who started all 13 games for the Michigan defense at middle linebacker this past season. Excelling in the various schemes of Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown helped McGrone earn All-Big Ten honorable mention during his first year as the starter. The young linebacker is now going to his sophomore season with a chance to become a breakout star.
Strengths:
– Excellent athleticism with agility, balance, and the speed to play sideline-to-sideline
– Great tackler who shows excellent form and wraps up well when tackling in space
– Great coverage skills and can hang with tight ends and running backs with the athleticism to play with slot receivers because of his change of direction skills
– A high motor player who never stops in pursuit and will make tackles twenty yards downfield
– An intelligent linebacker with a great understanding of gap integrity
– Good knowledge of zone coverages able speed to cover in Tampa 2 with the ability to read the quarterbacks eyes and make plays
– Good blitzer who uses great timing to set up free lanes for him on blitz calls with high capacity to finish at the quarterback
– Great against the outside run, leveraging the ball and closing angles and finish tackles in space
Areas to improve:
– Can struggle to get off blocks. Doesn’t display the play strength to take on guards at the second level
– He could make better use of his hands. Hands can be late when engaging with lineman at the second level allowing him to be blown out of plays
– Lean frame for a middle linebacker. Doesn’t have a lot of bulk and shows when engaging with offensive lineman
– Can be manipulated out of run fits being over-aggressive into his gaps, causing him to be blown out of the play and allow big holes
Injury concerns:
N/A
Projection:
McGrone is a young linebacker who still needs to add play strength and patience to play the run at the next level. However, McGrone’s skill set is designed for today’s NFL. His excellent potential as a coverage linebacker because of his speed and ability to stick to running back and tight ends will have teams looking past his weaknesses in the run game. Adding in his ability to rush the passer on blitz packages, McGrone projects to a player who will go late Day 1 or early Day 2. He has star potential at the NFL level.
What to watch in 2020:
With McGrone being a redshirt sophomore, a big season could propel him into the top 15 consideration. He has the ability that you want at linebacker, and his upside is very high. If he can have a big season that displays grown in the run game, he could start to make a case for linebacker one as well.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona where he played high school football, receiving All-Region at the Cornerback position.
Marcus played a year of Community College football before turning to music, and now has come back around to football.
He has been a contributor for Cowboys Wire, Pro Football Network, and has recently done work for Raiders Wire.
A Scouting Academy graduate, he had his hands in the 2018 Inside The Pylon Draft Guide, as well scouting offensive lineman.