Clint Sintim OLB 6'3 256 Virginia 4.78

Sintim spent his first season adjusting to college football as a redshirt, but he was ready to go a year later once he saw the field. He earned Freshman All America honors in 2005 after finishing the season with 53 tackles, seven for loss, and three sacks. As a sophomore he totaled 45/10/4 for the season. Sintim continued to improve as a junior, finishing the year with career highs across the board. He had 77 tackles, nine for loss, and nine sacks on the year. Sintim saved his best for last, earning All ACC honors after posting 70 tackles, 13 for loss, and 11 sacks on the year.

Strengths

Sintim is a very good pass rusher off the edge, but is also a solid all around linebacker. He has all the tools to be a very good pro linebacker. He's athletic with very good size and speed. Sintim shows the ability to slip blocks and get away from a blocker to make the play. His best trait is his ability to rush the passer off the edge. He has the agility to beat the tackle on the perimeter, and once he has the QB in his sights, he makes sure to bring him down. His size also aids him in run support, where he shows the awareness and discipline to read the play and adjust his path to make the play. Sintim should be a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but also projects to a traditional strong side role in a 4-3 alignment.

Weaknesses

Sintim displays the awareness in coverage, but he could have trouble matching up with backs and tight ends in the NFL. He is a very good defender with the action in front of him, but he is a bit stiff in the hips and loses ground when asked to play in man coverage.

Future

Sintim is the ideal fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He is one of the rare ones that has actually been a true linebacker in college that fits that role. Most guys are college ends that are forced to learn to play off the line in space. That should help make Sintim’s transition to the league even easier. He could be a force as a pass rusher off the edge, while providing help in run support and in zone coverage. Brian Cushing and Aaron Curry may be the class of the OLB position, but Sintim is as good as anyone behind those two.