Dereon Albert

Physical Profile

Albert possesses a stout and powerful frame, listed between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3 and weighing around 305 pounds. While he may be slightly undersized in terms of height for a prototypical interior lineman, he compensates with a low center of gravity and impressive arm length (34.5 inches). His background as a multi-sport athlete, including taking second at the MAIS 6A state meet in shot put, speaks to his explosive power. This build allows him to play with leverage and control his body effectively in tight spaces.

Play Style

Albert plays with a high motor and a disruptive mentality. He is a one-gap penetrator who excels at getting into the backfield and causing chaos. He uses his quick first step to gain an advantage on offensive linemen and his strength to shed blocks. He is a reliable tackler who makes plays both as a pass rusher and a run defender. His performance at a loaded Under Armour camp, where he reportedly dominated one-on-one sessions, highlights his competitive nature and ability to perform against top competition.

Strengths

• Displays a rare blend of a powerful lower half and an explosive first step, allowing him to be a disruptive force against both the run and the pass.
• Exhibits active and effective hand usage, utilizing a robust upper body to disengage from blockers.
• A highly productive player with a history of making plays in the backfield, as evidenced by his 69 tackles, 20.5 TFL, and 7.5 sacks during his sophomore season and 81 tackles, 17 TFL, and 7 sacks as a junior.
• Possesses impressive agility and body control for his size, enabling him to penetrate gaps and make stops near the line of scrimmage.

Areas to Improve

• Conditioning could be improved to enhance his pursuit range and allow him to maintain a high motor throughout the game.
• Needs to work on holding his ground and defeating double teams at the point of attack to be more effective against the run at the next level.
• Can have a tendency to play a bit high off the line of scrimmage at times, which he can get away with in high school but will need to refine in college.

College Projection

Albert projects as a multi-year contributor and potential impact starter at the Power Four level. His skillset makes him a good fit as a disruptive 3-technique in an aggressive, one-gapping defensive scheme. He has the potential to see the field early in his career in a rotational role, with the upside to develop into an all-conference caliber player for Tennessee.

NFL Outlook

Given his four-star rating, impressive high school production, and projectable traits, Albert has the potential to be a future NFL Draft selection. His ability to generate interior pressure is a valuable commodity in today's game. His ultimate draft stock will depend on his continued development at the University of Tennessee, particularly in his areas of improvement and how his size translates to the professional level.

Best Fit

A program that utilizes an aggressive, attacking-style defensive front that will allow him to use his quickness and get into the backfield. The University of Tennessee's defensive scheme under coordinator Tim Banks, which has been successful in creating turnovers, should be a good fit for his disruptive skill set.