A staple of the Wyoming Cowboys and the Mountain West Conference over the last several years, Easton Gibbs now looks to make his move to the pro game.
Considered one of the Group of Five's top linebackers, Gibbs also earned a reputation as high-effort defender and a sure tackler.
Here's what else to keep in mind about the former Cowboy standout throughout his NFL Draft process.
Background
Measurements: 6'0" - 232 pounds
A native of Temecula, California, Gibbs was a two-star recruit coming out of high school. He played quarterback in addition to moving between linebacker and safety at that level.
Gibbs was one of the leaders of the Wyoming defense by the time he was a redshirt freshman in 2020. He had the third-most tackles on the team (42) in a season shortened by COVID-19.
He posted 18 games with a tackle count in the double digits. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in both 2022 and 2023 and was an Honorable Mention in 2021.
In each of his final two seasons with the Cowboys, Gibbs had over 100 tackles. He finished his college career with 358 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. He also forced three fumbles with two recoveries. Plus, he made his first and only interception this past season.
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The Strengths
As you'd expect, Gibbs hits hard. While some high level linebackers skirt blocks with efficient footwork, Gibbs seems to prefer brute strength his way out of them. He was fairly successful at that at the G5 level. There's a small sample size of Gibbs playing Power Five/Four competition, but he did manage ten tackles in a loss against a very good Texas team in 2023.
He fills gaps well and plays to the whistle, usually looking to force a ball out if a ball carrier runs into him too upright.
As far as a pure tackler, he was one of a handful of guys in the G5 whose form was near flawless every time. Overall, while he might lack some overall agility compared to other prospects in this, the passion and effort are undeniable.
Combine Stats
40-Yard Dash: 4.73 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 seconds
Vertical Jump: 31.5"
Broad Jump: 9'1"
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
What's Next
Gibbs' combine performance won't necessarily help his draft stock all that much. It's likely that Gibbs needs a UDFA deal to make a roster and may have to become a piece on special teams for his future pro side first.
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