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2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama Linebacker Henry To'oTo'o

Originally posted on Alabama Crimson Tide on SI
By Christopher Walsh | Last updated 4/24/23

Interior linebacker Henry To'oTo'o path to Tuscaloosa was an untraditional one as he first was a two-year starter at rival Tennessee, and then transferred.

From Rocky Top to Rammer Jammer? Sure, why not?

But To'oTo'o was also originally recruited from the West Coast. He's half-Samoan, half-Tingan (with seven siblings), who went from Sacramento to Utah before eventually heading to the Bay Area, where he was named the player of the year as a linebacker and running back at De La Salle High School. That led to Knoxville before finally joining Alabama football.

“We're talking about a fine young man who's very intelligent, very instinctive player, very conscientious,” Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said at the time. “He wants to know everything about not only what he does, but everybody on the defense. He's got really good leadership qualities.”

To'oTo'o filled an important hole in the Crimson Tide and bought the coaches a little time to regroup at the position where Alabama used to be known for continually landing top prospects and seeing them develop into contenders for the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker).

As a senior he was named All-SEC by league coaches. Statistically, To'oTo'o was second on Alabama in tackles, and nine in the conference, by notching 94 total tackles, including eight for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

That was on top of a junior year, when he stepped into the middle of the defense and took over the play-calling responsibilities en route to landing second-team All-SEC honors. He topped the Crimson Tide with 113 tackless, including 8.5 for loss and four sacks, to go with a pair of quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Alabama Interior Linebacker Henry To'oTo'o

NFL Combine/Workout Details

No. 10
Position: Linebacker
Ht: 6010
Wt: 227
Hand: 1028
Arm: 3268
Wing: 7738
40: 4.62
DOB: 1/5/2001
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.

40-Yard Dash: 4.62 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.57 Seconds
Vertical Jump: 32’’
Broad Jump: 9’ 8’’
20-Yd Shuttle: 4.4

What They're Saying about Henry To'oTo'o

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "Assignment-oriented linebacker whose play is steady but unspectacular. To’oTo’o is tough but lacks thump inside and doesn’t have the speed to cut off angles and stop outside run plays before they get to the corner. He’s a good technician but his play is a little more conservative than it will need to be with relatively average traits. To’oTo’o is always under control and generally where he needs to be. He’s just average in coverage and will need to become much more consistent as an open-field tackler. Good backup to below-average starter could be his career path whether he plays inside or outside."

NFL Draft Bible: "Athletic linebacker who can come downhill in a hurry and limit rushing yardage. To’oTo’o has quick hands to stay clean when flowing to the sideline, taking advantage of his speed to make plays. His closing speed is very good. Linemen have a tough time locating and blocking him at the second level as he slips past blocks. In coverage, To’oTo’o displays his speed, carrying slots and tight ends up the seam. He is physical, possessing the ability to shock blockers. Smart linebacker who communicates pre-snap to get his defense lined up.

"To’oTo’o plays the run first causing him to be out of position after reading the mesh point. He leaves vacated areas behind on run-pass options and is too slow to adjust when the quarterback keeps the ball. In space, he takes bad angles causing him to miss easy tackles. Unfavorable angles and a lack of urgency prevents him from making plays to the sideline consistently. When playing through traffic in the hole, To’oTo’o is not strong enough to consistently get runners down. Long and skinny linebacker with desirable athletic traits. To’oTo’o guesses in the run game and when he does so correctly, he makes splash plays. His speed allows him to flow from sideline to sideline and carry opponents up the seam. He does not read the mesh point well, causing him to end up out of position. To’oTo’o projects as a developmental weakside linebacker who has the athleticism and length to succeed in coverage and pursuit. He has to improve his processing skills to get on the field consistently. His speed should make him a special-teams contributor. "

BamaCentral Analysis

To'oTo'o would probably fit in best at weakside linebacker on a team that plays a 3-4 scheme, like the Eagles or Vikings, but he'll need to improve his ability to drop back into coverage. We like his chances as To'oTo'o can definitely play at the next level, and maybe be a solid starter. An executive for an AFC team told NFL.com that "He knows how to play and he’ll be on a roster for a long time but I don’t see him as a dynamic playmaker.” He' the kind of player you want in your locker room, though.

Projection: Third round

This is the 13th story in an annual series profiling Alabama football players available in the upcoming NFL draft. Position rank by NFL Draft Bible"

Edge rusher/Linebacker, No. 1: Will Anderson Jr.

Safety, No. 7: Jordan Battle

Safety/Star, No. 1: Brian Branch

Defensive tackle, No. 18: DJ Dale

Guard/Offensive lineman, No. 5: Emil Ekiyor Jr.

Running Back, No. 2: Jahmyr Gibbs

Safety/Defensive back, No. 18: DeMarcco Hellams

Tight End, No. 9: Cameron Latu

Offensive lineman/Guard, No. 39: Kendall Randolph

Cornerback, No. 23: Eli Ricks

Tackle, No. 9: Tyler Steen

Henry To'oTo'o: Linebackers, No. 6