"He's a long, lengthy defensive end. They put him all over the line of scrimmage." -- Charles Davis
6'6" Height
34 1/2" Arm Length
285LBS. Weight
9 3/4" Hands
Overview
This two-sport athlete experimented on the hardwood in 2012-13 before turning his full attention to the gridiron. The two-time first-team All-Independent pick had 15.5 career sacks entering the 2015 season, and added 11 more in an outstanding senior campaign while making 20 tackles for loss. Kaufusis size and athleticism have allowed Cougars coaches (of whom his father, Steve, is one) to play him standing up or hand-down during his career. NFL teams will have to decide where he fits best in their system.
Analysis
Strengths
Has an honest father as a coach who has been up front about Bronsons weaknesses and what he needed to work on. Plays with the motor expected from a coachs son. Quality hand work and is able to redirect with them. Good backside presence in running game and charges hard down the line of scrimmage. Comes out of his stance and into his pass rush with good pad level and forward lean. Never quits on plays and will pursue way down the field. Has a long frame that may be able to carry more muscle. Posted productive totals in most categories. Blocked a field goal and punt in 2015.
Weaknesses
Too easily caved in and washed down when blocked on angles. Tries to bend but pad level still ends up higher than he would like thanks to his height. Play strength is an area of concern. Thin legs lose their base when he is redirected with power. Tight-hipped pass rusher that has a prolonged corner turn to the quarterback -- even on wins. Much of sack production came on extended plays or with effort over skill. Unable to generate consistent penetration when slanting into gaps. In 2014, lost weight and attempted to
play outside linebacker but experiment was a failure.
Draft Projection
Rounds 4 or 5
Sources Tell Us
"Everyone has been on him for so long that it's kinda anticlimactic now. Someone will take him higher than they should when he tests out at the combine." -- NFC scouting director
NFL Comparison
Denico Autry
Bottom Line
Developing talent who flashes enough on tape to believe that some of his production could translate to the NFL. His lack of mass and functional strength could create consistency issues for him early in his career.
