RJ Oben, EDGE, Notre Dame
Size:
Height: 6’3” | Weight: 261 lbs
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“RJ Oben is a versatile 3- and 5-technique with excellent length and bend to win in isolated opportunities along a defensive front.”
Strengths:
Counters
Length
Bend
Quick hands
Concerns:
Explosiveness
Works tall off the snap
Segmented mover at times
Film Analysis:
RJ Oben transferred to Notre Dame after five seasons at Duke. While his production as a pass-rusher has dipped over the last two seasons, the profile is evident for Oben to make an impact at the next level due to a variety of factors.
As a pass-rusher, Oben has an approach to each rep. A plan is obvious, but a more refined repertoire will assist in him winning in a variety of ways down the line. He’s a big, strong, physical, and long athlete with really good bend at his size. Adequate burst off the snap, but Oben picks up speed quickly toward the pocket. Go-to move is an outside two-hand swipe, or, if his feet are stopped, he counters with an inside spin move. A bull rush does not look like an A or B move at this point in time, but with more reps, it could become an integral part of his repertoire at his size and aforementioned length.
Oben does well to flatten to the QB and is a player who will consistently have a chance to knock the ball loose inside the pocket due to his knack for playing with extension. Does get tall off the snap, presenting large amounts of surface area for opposing blockers to target. Firing through his get-off with a lower chest is a part of his game he can improve on, especially considering Oben has the bend to remain low around the arc. Has experience aligning at both 3 and 5-tech, but is at his best at five or as a seven with a wide angle to the QB. In those moments, Oben has shown the ability (Georgia) to win to either shoulder.
As a run defender, Oben is adequate at this point in time but is a high-effort player who has no issue pursuing from the backside or anchoring against double teams on perimeter runs. Needs refinement as a peek and pursue defender, but the tools are there. Anchor is good on the edge but Oben can waver from his technique. He also will turn his shoulder in an attempt to blow opponents back and can lose vision of the play. Instead, fine-tuning his ability to man his opponents head-on, stack, shed, and pursue will raise his ceiling on run down, and as a potential three-down player.
Overall, Oben touts many of the traits teams look for in a piece along their defensive front. A highly intelligent young man whose work ethic has come up multiple times in conversations with teams, fine-tuning the small details in his game should allow Oben to become a contributor on Sundays.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Penn State (2024), Georgia (2024), Georgia Tech (2024), Florida State (2024)
