Saints 2023 first-round pick showed resiliency in path to NFL

His college career began with being named first-team All-ACC in 2020. He missed the majority of the 2021 season due to a torn ACL, then had shoulder surgery in January 2022. Last season, a kidney infection forced him to miss three games and his sister, Ella, died after a battle with cancer.

He and his family wore shirts honoring her on draft night.

Bresee's new head coach, Dennis Allen, applauded the Saints' first-round pick for all he's endured.

Allen described Bresee as "an exceptional talent." "He's big. He's physical. He's athletic," he continued.

His tape says something similar. Last year, he looked spry early in the season. In the play below, he demonstrates fantastic speed off the line, disengaging from his blocker and getting into the backfield for the sack. 

Per The Athetlic's Dane Brugler, he is the second-ranked interior defensive lineman in this class, behind Jalen Carter.

He ran a 4.86-second 40-yard dash at the combine, among the fastest numbers posted at this year's event. He's also among the tallest of his 2023 draft peers at 6-foot, 5-inches.

In Brugler's evaluation, Bresee is "an explosive force player," but "his tag on draft boards will have a medical designation and his injury background might determine where he is drafted."

The Saints took a bit of a risk with their first-round pick but there's no questioning Bresee has the toughness and athleticism to live up to his billing. Among this year's first-round picks, it's harder to find any easier to root for.