"Shembo's a guy I got to know pretty well at Notre Dame. If you asked teammates who the toughest football player on the team was, they'd say it was this kid. On Day 1, what do you get from a Prince Shembo? He's a Day 1 special teams core player." -- Mike Mayock
6'1" Height
33 1/8" Arm Length
253LBS. Weight
10 1/2" Hands
Overview
Father immigrated to the United States from the Congo in 1986. Prince also played basketball and ran track as a North Carolina prep. Ankle injury limited him to five games his senior season. Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2010 and collected 15 tackles, five tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with a forced fumble. Started 8 of 12 games played in 2011 (seven at 3-4 outside linebacker, one at defensive end) and tallied 31 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Missed the Michigan State game after his father, who was in town for the game, suffered a brain aneurysm. Left turf toe injury required surgery, sidelining him during 2012 spring practice. In the fall, started all 13 games at OLB and produced 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks with a pass breakup. Started all 13 games at OLB and totaled 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Acknowledged at the combine that he was investigated for sexual assault allegations made by a former Saint Marys College student who committed suicide 10 days later. Shembo was never charged in connection with the incident.
Analysis
Strengths
Large hands. Good balance and knee bend. Strong and physical -- can stuff tight ends and is surprisingly robust at the point of attack. Flows laterally and pursues to the boundary. Strong tackler. Flashes power-leverage potential. Effective stunting and looping. Operated from 2- and 3-point stance and played on special teams.
Weaknesses
Lacks ideal body length, elite flexibility and closing speed. Average eyes and instincts (see-and-go reactor). Can improve hand use. Hip tightness shows in space and when required to drop into coverage.
Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5
Bottom Line
Thickly built, high-motor, highly competitive edge defender who projects best as a left outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Lacks desirable dimensions, flexibility and finishing speed, but has more than enough play strength, tenacity and toughness to compensate.
-Nolan Nawrocki
