Tommy Akingbesote, IDL, Maryland
Size:
Height: 6036
Weight: 306
Arm: 33 ½”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Tommy Akingbesote possesses a well-built frame with the ability to anchor against the run while also flashing disruptive traits as a pass rusher.”
Strengths:
Twitch
Length
Projectability
Concerns:
Production
Consistency
Lower-half flexibility
Pass-rush repertoire
Film Analysis:
An experienced and mature athlete with four years of experience along the Terrapins’ defensive front, Tommy Akingbesote is an intriguing prospect along the defensive line, offering a blend of power, quickness, and raw upside. He possesses a well-built frame with the ability to anchor against the run while also flashing disruptive traits as a pass rusher. Has a quick first step for a player of his size, allowing him to gain early leverage against interior blockers.
Against the run, Akingbesote shows solid gap integrity and the strength to hold his ground against double teams. While he is not a dominant two-gapper, his ability to stack and shed makes him effective in early-down situations. Motor runs hot and he consistently pursues plays down the line of scrimmage, showing good range for an interior lineman even into the deeper areas of the flats on outside runs. Pad level can occasionally rise when taking on stronger blockers, which limits his ability to consistently dictate leverage, but his natural power allows him to compensate in many situations.
As a pass rusher, Akingbesote has a skill set that needs fine-tuning. He flashes an effective bull rush that can collapse the pocket, and his hand usage continues to improve in one-on-one situations. While he is not yet a high-level interior mover, his blend of explosiveness and power suggests he could develop in this area with further refinement. His ability to win with quickness and strength gives him an intriguing ceiling, particularly in an even-front scheme where he can attack gaps with his ears pinned back.
Concerns remain about his consistency. There are flashes of high-level actions and movement, but he will need to refine his technique, particularly in maintaining a lower center of gravity and improving his counters as a rusher. He’s more of a slasher than an upfield pursuit technician in the ground game, a tough way to live for a man of his size against more powerful and athletic NFL linemen. His motor, however, makes him a strong rotational prospect with the potential to carve out a bigger role in the right system.
Overall, Akingbesote is a toolsy defensive lineman with the physical traits to be a developmental player at the next level. While he may not be an instant three-down contributor, his ability to stop the run and flash disruptive traits as a pass rusher make him a promising developmental option with starter upside.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Michigan State (2024), Northwestern (2024), Virginia (2024)
