Spencer Havner OLB 6’3 239 UCLA
By: Robert Davis
Spencer Havner has been one of the best linebackers in college football since his redshirt freshman season. He made an immediate impact in 2002, starting all 13 games on the year, and finishing with 96 tackles, 12 for loss, and 3 interceptions. As a sophomore he racked up 82 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and 3 more interceptions. He had his best season to date as a junior, when he finished the year with 125 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and 2 interceptions. Havner was named to various All-American lists, and was a semi-finalist for the Lombardi and Butkus awards. He concluded his career with another outstanding season, finishing the year with 99 tackles, 15 for loss, two sacks, and three interceptions.
Havner is one of the most active linebackers available for the draft. Whether he is playing in space, covering a back one on one, or mixing it up inside, he is involved in every play. He won’t relax if it doesn’t look like he is going to make a play; he makes sure he is involved in everything. His combo of size, speed, and strength allows him to play any linebacker spot. His instincts are his best asset, as he quickly diagnoses plays and flows to the action. He is a coach’s dream at linebacker.
There really isn’t much to pick apart about Havner’s game. He has the physical skill and perfect mentality to play linebacker at the next level. If there is anything, it might be that he’s been dinged up a little bit with shoulder and knee injuries during his career, which is related to his reckless play. But he’s still managed to play through everything, aside from the Las Vegas Bowl last year because of knee surgery.
Spencer Havner is a complete linebacker prospect. He won’t wow you with any awesome physical ability, but he is just a damn good football player. He toyed with the idea of declaring for the draft last year, where he likely would have been a Day 1 selection. He again grades out as a Day One talent, even in a deep linebacker draft.
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