Kawann Short
Defensive Tackle
6’3” 315 lb.
Purdue
-Kawann Short’s strength is a huge asset, but it also causes his technique to get sloppy. He forgets to shoot his hands, and when allows offensive linemen to get too far into his body.
-Short needs to learn to manipulate his body position better. On too often on outside zone plays he tries to take the backside gap instead of controlling his own gap. This puts the linebacker in a terrible situation.
-Exceptional quickness for a guy his size. He will never be a sideline-to-sideline defender, but he does a good job pursing the play.
-Closing speed is also excellent for a 300+ NT type. Once he gets behind the line it is TOUGH to get away from him, ask Michigan QB Dennard Robinson.
-I hate that he gets caught staring in the backfield so often. I have to wonder if, like Utah’s Star Lotulelei, he has issues reading his blocks. You simply can’t do that at the next level.
-I am really impressed with his versatility. Like Ohio State DT/DE Jonathan Hankins, they move Short to DE some, and occasionally he plays a 5-tech in situational 3-4 looks.
-Nice spin move to get hands off of him, catches offensive linemen off guard with his agility.
-All in all I really like Short, and I think with proper defensive coaching I think he could be a force. You can’t teach size and speed, and defensive coordinators seem to love the moveable mammoths. I think the Colts should take a serious look at him if they end up missing on Lewan, Joeckel, and Mathews, because Pagano could use him as a Haloti Ngata-type.
About Will Lomas