25 Jun Preseason Scouting Notes: Chris Rumph II, EDGE, Duke
Redshirt Junior | 6’3” 225 lbs | Gainesville, FL
Explosive but undersized pass rush specialist who wins with speed, length and technique from multiple alignments
Overview:
Chris Rumph II is a rotational pass rusher and chess piece for David Cutcliffe’s multiple defense. He lines up off the edge in a four-point stance in 4-3 alignments, plays OLB in some 3-4 looks, and will line up off-ball over the center before choosing which B-gap to shoot in some instances. Despite only starting one game of the 25 he’s played in at Duke, Rumph led the team in pressures last year and notched 6.5 sacks, 3.5 of which came in the season finale against Miami. Rumph’s father, who shares the same name, is currently the OLB coach for the Houston Texans.
Strengths:
– Consistently shows an explosive first step on get offs
– Natural edge bender with hip flexibility and balance
– Provides versatility as a mismatch chess piece who wins easily with speed against less agile defenders
– Has a developed pass rush plan and active hands
– Disciplined while setting the edge and holding his assigned gaps against the run
– Great timing as a blitzer
– Coverts speed to power with a forceful inside arm to attack when tackles overset and give up a soft inside shoulder
– Instinctual player who always sees beyond his blocker while engaged
– Can occasionally compensate for lack of heft with length and good leverage
– High motor player. Never takes plays off and plays through the whistle
Areas to improve:
– Rarely breaks away from blockers who get their hands in tight on his chest. Particularly struggles to disengage OL with good grip strength
– Gets overwhelmed by double teams
– Does not have the sheer mass needed to play 4-3 edge against the run in the NFL. Will need to add significant weight to do so, which may come at the expense of his speed
– Needs to prove his coverage range and route recognition skills to prove himself as an every down 3-4 OLB
Injury concerns:
N/A
Projection:
Teams may have drastically varying opinions on Rumph as the draft process unfolds due to his very evident strengths and limitations. At only 225 pounds, Rumph will not be able to play with his hand in the dirt against the run at the next level. However, creative defensive coordinators may be salivating over Rumph’s tape, wondering how they can move him around the defense to create pass rush mismatches with his speed and developed pass rush arsenal. He’ll likely start out playing exclusively on third down in the NFL, but could grow into a starting 3-4 OLB if he adds some strength and improves his pass coverage. Even with Rumph’s limitations, his pass rush potential, mismatch ability, and coaching mindset should make him a highly coveted Day 2 selection.
What to watch in 2020:
How will Rumph’s role expand? As his sophomore year progressed, Rumph was given more responsibility and playing time. But with starting DEs Victor Dimukeje and Drew Jordan returning, Rumph is still unlikely to become a full-time starter. If Cutcliffe begins to expand Rumph’s OLB responsibilities by giving him more coverage reps, that could potentially be a big boost for his draft stock.
- XTB’s Director of Scouting
- Bay Area-born sports lover who has worked in the football industry as a journalist, coach, film analyst, and scout.
- Currently a graduate student attending the UMass Sport Management program, and received his BA in journalism at Hofstra University.