Collin Oliver, EDGE/LB, Oklahoma State
Size:
Height: 6016
Weight: 240
Arm: 30 ¾”
Hand: 9 ½”
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-Big 12 (2023, 2022, 2021) • Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2021) • Freshman All-America Team (2021)
“Collin Oliver is an explosive LB/EDGE hybrid whose athleticism and hands showcase a lofty performance ceiling within a front seven.”
Strengths:
Quick twitch
Coverage
Pass-rush potential
Concerns:
Play strength
Setting the edge vs. run
Play ID
Film Analysis:
Collin Oliver is an exciting pass-rusher whose 2024 senior campaign was limited to two starts due to a foot injury. Oliver enters the draft process ranked fifth in Oklahoma State’s program history with 23.5 sacks in 43 games. Oliver was dominant in his two starts this year, totaling 15 pressures, 11 hurries, and two sacks in matchups against South Dakota State and Arkansas. At full strength, he touts an extremely intriguing pass-rush profile despite concerns surrounding his size and length to compete on early downs.
Oliver is an explosive LB/EDGE hybrid whose athleticism and hands showcase a lofty performance ceiling within a front seven. He’s primarily aligned at middle linebacker or on the outside shoulder (5-tech) of the offensive tackle.
Against the run, Oliver plays with good instincts and trigger, but his length and play strength are lacking. He can be washed out of the play (2023 vs. Oklahoma) if his base isn’t set despite his eagerness and hunger to make plays at the line. Gets thrown around a little bit within the wash of the line of scrimmage, limiting his overall impact as a run defender. Processing and ability to ID run concepts also need improvement, as Oliver’s aggressiveness can often lead him to the wrong gap. He’s best in the fringe areas where his explosiveness shines. Good tackler in the open field who arrives at contact with pop behind his pads. Improvement in stacking/shedding blockers also has room for improvement at this point in time. Ultimately, it will help in his ability to locate and pursue without having to guess by attacking a shoulder and then potentially having to retrace his steps once he’s around the opposition.
As a pass rusher, Oliver’s tools and traits pop off the page. He’s a dynamic edge threat with an extremely intriguing ceiling as a sack artist. He can be classified as more of an athlete off the edge who wins with traits rather than as a technician, but Oliver has flashed the skill set to disrupt the pocket consistently. Will rush from a variety of locations, and is a nightmare to counter if working against less athletic opponents. Showcases an excellent hesitation move, where Oliver will explode off the snap, stop his feet, and re-accelerate in a flash to the pocket—a move that can often throw less fleet-of-foot tackles off-balance. Oliver has the get-off and bend to consistently force tackles deep into their set, and evolving his game to the inside shoulder will only diversify his portfolio at the position. Rarely attempts to win with power, but is a player whose speed and twitch are enough to be classified as traits that will allow Oliver to consistently challenge for pressures.
Concerns remain about his length and play strength, which show up both on run and passing downs. Continuing to build mass will assist Oliver in sealing the edge, taking on blocks, and in his ability to continue to push the pocket if tackles jump set and stop his momentum early in a rep. Oliver’s burst and explosiveness present a tall task for linemen to counter, but more experienced and patient tackles will invite Oliver into contact at full speed due to his lack of mass and ability to engage/shed.
Overall, Oliver projects as a potential three-down, hybrid defender whose ceiling could lie at edge rusher. His athletic profile, production (23.5 sacks in three seasons), and potential will intrigue teams in need of a jolt within the front seven.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Arkansas (2024), South Dakota State (2024), West Virginia (2023), Oklahoma (2023), Texas (2023)
