Redskins allowed over 5 yards/rush up the middle (4th worst), so Ioannidis can help plug that leaky hole in their defense. He's a bully in the trenches with promising upside.
--Mark Dulgerian
6'3" Height
32 3/8" Arm Length
299LBS. Weight
10 1/8" Hands
Overview
Ioannidis (eye-an-NYE-dis) has been a valuable performer from the Owls since halfway through his freshman year, when the team took off his redshirt. Whether lined up outside or inside, his power and hustle impact nearly every play. The 2014 second-team All-American Athletic Conference pick (11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks) and 2015 first-team All-Conference pick in 2015 (11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five pass breakups) has added bulk to his frame every season.
Pro Day Results
Broad jump: 9 feet, 5 inches
3-cone: 7.56 seconds
Analysis
Strengths
Can match pure power with just about anyone on the field and carries almost no bad weight on his frame. Grows roots and refuses to budge against many double teams he faced. Hard to run at his gap. Can push and pull blockers and unhinge from point of attack when its time to tackle. Plays with quick reaction time off the snap and gets hands into blockers quickly. Generally good knee bend when battling the man in front of him. Can get to shoulder of blocker and get him leaning and then uses club/hump move to knock him off balance and attack the vacated position. Powerful base and very rarely off his feet. Can power through redirect blocks and maintain a path for the ball. Has good feel for screen plays and chases them down down with great intensity. Will occasionally show a spin move that is reasonably effective to the left more than to the right. Uses violent powerful clubbing movement to prevent blockers from staying locked in on their block. One of the unquestioned leaders of the team.
Weaknesses
Muscle-bound slow-twitch player. Success may be limited to ability to win with power. Is a little stiff in his lateral movement and possesses an average burst upfield as a pass rusher. Labored effort in twist game and won't surprise offensive linemen when he comes rumbling around the corner. Can push the pocket, but is not a finisher as a pass rusher and his role in pass rushing situations as a pro is unclear. Slow lateral movement off snap limits his effectiveness playing in the gap and may limit him in terms of scheme.
Draft Projection
Rounds 5 or 6
NFL Comparison
Nick Hayden
Bottom Line
Muscle shark who never shrinks in the face of physicality or doing the dirty work that needs to get done. Ioannidis isn't a bad athlete, he's just a little bit limited due to a lack of twitch. With power and toughness to spare, he is at his best as a block-eating two-gap player who can anchor against the run and who can generate decent push in the pocket when called on as a pass rusher. He has the looks of a starter in a 3-4 defense and a rotational tackle in a 4-3.
