The 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl wrapped up on Saturday, and for Auburn fans, all eyes were on Eku Leota. Derick Hall practiced and interviewed well, but did not play in the game, and since Owen Pappoe also sat out due to injury, Eku was the lone Auburn representative playing in Mobile.
There was a lot of optimism last season that the former Ashville, NC native would have a splashy year on the Plains after a strong 2021 season. The former third-team all-B1G player was making a name for himself at Auburn, harassing SEC quarterbacks to the tune of 23 tackles, 10.0 TFL, and 7 total sacks. If he could maintain consistency in 2023, there was reason to believe Leota would have a shot at being drafted somewhere in the late third round or early fourth come Draft weekend.
Then he suffered a season-ending injury against LSU this year and his final campaign was shut down. While on the field however, he registered 2 sacks and 17 tackles, but a strong Reese's Senior Bowl was needed to put him back in "draftable" conversation. While he didn't register many tackles in the game on Saturday, his practices and interviews with NFL teams may have certainly saved his stock.
He may not be a first-round pick, but whoever takes a shot on him will certainly get an easy project to develop into a quality NFL starter. Here's where things stand with the former Auburn, Northwestern, and Ashville High star.
EKU LEOTA SCOUTING REPORT
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 255
What he does well
Everyone who's watched Eku says the same thing about his size: He's NFL-ready with his current height and weight, so there won't be a need to bulk up the defender. Despite his size, Leota was quick to get off the snap and track the ball down, closing the gap between himself and the quarterback or running back.
What needs work
While he's one of the fastest rushers on the field, he has trouble escaping big-bodied tackles once they get a firm grip on him. His athleticism could use some work, and teams will be wary of the arm injury he sustained in October.
Current Projection
ROUND 6, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Pete Carrol's squad showed they were playoff-ready last year, except the pass rush held them back from keeping opposing offenses off the field. They will look early in the draft to bulk up the defensive line, and Eku could be a late-round gem to add to the rotation so that the Hawks might go deeper in the playoffs next season.
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