Former Arizona State defensive lineman JoJo Wicker is poised to be picked to a roster in the 2018 NFL Draft in Dallas this weekend.
Wicker was a highly coveted top-100 recruit out of Long Beach Poly High School. He compiled 138 tackles, 26 for loss, and 17.5 sacks in 12 games as a senior while being coached by former NFL linebacker Antonio Pierce, who is now the linebackers coach at ASU.
Despite then-ASU coach Todd Graham’s projection to play him as a three-technique tackle, Wicker went on to play almost every down as an end in his three-year career as a Sun Devil.
The versatile defensive lineman arrived in Tempe and found ways to produce right away. Wicker played in all 13 games (nine starts) and earned Freshman All-American honors.
Wicker started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2016 where he found growth and developed quickness in his game. Scouts took notice after he notched 39 tackles, 11 for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three passes defended.
As a junior, Wicker received second-team All-Pac-12 honors with a team-high 13 tackles for loss and six sacks in his final collegiate season. He was the 13th-highest graded defensive lineman in the Pac-12 by Pro Football Focus.
Thirty-one percent of his career tackles went for a loss.
Wicker enters the 2018 NFL Draft projected to go in the seventh round or possibly fall to become a priority free agent.
The 6-foot-2, 296-pound defensive end is a true run stopper. He is competitive and has active hands to shed blocks while getting after the ball carrier.
Some weakness for Wicker are concerns about his weight in his midsection and struggles against downhill power blocks.
Scouts believe it will be beneficial for Wicker to play in a Nickel defensive scheme that uses a hybrid front to rotate him into the interior as a tackle, according to NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein.
“Great kid. Smart. He’s a little quiet but he competes really hard and he’s got good upside. I think a coach is going to be very excited once they realize they’ve got some talent that they can work with,” an AFC regional scout told NFL.com.
NFL.com gives Wicker a prospect grade of 5.15, which translates that he has a better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster for the 2018 season.
Next: 2018 NFL Draft Profile: Linebacker Christian Sam
NFL Combine Results
-40 Yard Dash: 5.16 seconds
-Bench Press: 25 reps
-Vertical Jump: 30.0 inches
-Broad Jump: 105.0 inches