Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory would do well to have an NFL career like that of former Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Jevon Kearse. And he would also do well, at least financially, to be drafted as high as the Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 draft.
But according to one NFL scout, the fourth-year junior brings some of the best of both as a pro prospect.
"He's an in-between mixture of Jadeveon Clowney and Jevon Kearse," an NFL scout told Sports Illustrated. "He's got Kearse's freaky athletic ability. Clowney is much stronger, but he's much tighter than Gregory. Gregory has disgusting bendability much like Barkevious Mingo."
Mingo was the No. 6 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2013 and delivered five sacks as a rookie. Kearse made 74 sacks in his 11-season NFL career after starring for Florida. Gregory, for his part, is drawing significant attention from the NFL scouting community. Quality pass rushers are difficult to find in the NFL and are treated as a premium asset where the NFL draft is concerned.
After spending two years at Arizona Western Community College before even arriving at Nebraska, Gregory could have left for the NFL after last season. He returned instead, in part to add some weight to a 6-foot-6 frame. He's become one of the Big Ten's most dominant defenders. Gregory leads the Cornhuskers in sacks (4.5) and quarterback hurries (7) this year, despite missing a game due to injury.
Gregory could return to Nebraska yet again next year, or declare eligibility for the 2015 draft.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
