PROSPECT SUMMARY - TYLER SHELVIN

A 5-star recruit in 2017, LSU defensive lineman Tyler Shelvin redshirted his first year on campus, found some playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2018, and showcased his dominant run-stopping ability as a starter in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season. Shelvin is a straightforward evaluation—he’s a massive interior defensive lineman who is outstanding against the run but doesn’t offer much on passing downs outside of pushing the pocket. Shelvin isn’t a dynamic run defender simply because he’s big and strong, he knows how to fit his hands, find the football, disengage, and finish. Shelvin plays with tremendous urgency on every snap and competes hard in pursuit despite limited range. He’s dominant against single blocks and more than holds his own against doubles. For a guy who is going to be asked to fill an unselfish role in the NFL, he embraces taking on blocks, absorbing double teams, eating space, and keeping the second-level clean. Shelvin has the makings of a dominant run-stuffing 3-4 nose tackle or 4-3 one-technique, but his value is limited to running downs.

Ideal Role: Early-down run defender.

Scheme Fit: 3-4 nose tackle, 4-3 1-technique.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Auburn (2019), Alabama (2019), Oklahoma (2019), Georgia (2019)

Best Game Studied: Georgia (2019)

Worst Game Studied: Oklahoma (2019)

First-Step Explosiveness: Shelvin has reasonably quick get-off relative to his size, but his appeal in the NFL won’t be because of his first-step explosiveness. He fires out of his stance with good urgency and often wins with first contact. With that said, he isn’t going to stress the mobility of interior offensive linemen to slide their feet and stay square.

Flexibility: Shelvin is a massive man with plenty of excess weight that doesn’t lend itself favorably to be flexible. Being loose, agile, and fluid is not why Shelvin wins or what is going to make him effective in the NFL. With that said, he has better than expected mobility and fluidity for a man of his stature.

Hand Counters: Shelvin is effective at placing his hands, playing with extension, and controlling reps with his power and mass. His game doesn’t reveal much in the way of using hand counters to defeat blocks and clear contact.

Hand Power: Shelvin has notable power in his hands and he uses his violent punch to gain control of reps by winning with first contact that is capable of stunning blockers. Despite not being advanced in terms of hand counters, the strength in Shelvin’s hands enables him to get off blocks and make plays.

Run Defending: Shelvin is a powerful and massive run defender that isn’t easily moved. His anchor is stout and he dominates single blocks and holds his own against doubles. He clogs up the interior, eats space, and keeps the second level clean. He’s a load to move and he thrives in tight space. Shelvin dominates in a phone booth and does well to play with good leverage and extension, making him a viable candidate for two-gapping duties as a nose tackle. He’s not a penetration-style player, but he frequently re-sets and plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Effort: Shelvin plays with tremendous urgency and effort on every snap. While he doesn’t offer much in the way of range, that doesn’t stop him from charging hard in pursuit on every down. Despite not having an effective pass-rushing skill set, Shelvin battles hard to push the pocket. He is outstanding at taking up multiple blockers, fighting to control his gap(s), and making sure the linebackers can fire downhill.

Football IQ: Shelvin showcases good technique at the point of attack to control the line of scrimmage. While he is a terrific run defender, there are times where he doesn’t feel down blocks and he can get pinned. I appreciate how Shelvin operates under control despite being a high-motor run defender, which speaks to his feel for the game.

Lateral Mobility: Shelvin competes hard to work laterally, but he is far from a smooth operator that glides when working down the line of scrimmage. On zone runs, blockers have no issues reaching Shelvin and getting their body in position to seal lanes. Shelvin’s brute strength and mass help him play through blocks, but there are restrictions when it comes to lateral mobility.

Core/Functional Strength: Shelvin is a monster in the middle who brings exceptional power and size to the table. Single blocks won’t move him and he more than holds his own against double teams. Shelvin is able to leverage his hips and bow his back to absorb contact and rarely concedes ground.

Versatility: Shelvin can serve as a 3-4 nose tackle or 4-3 1-technique, but has no appeal for any other role. His value comes as a run defender and his passing down contributions don’t extend beyond pushing the pocket. While Shelvin is a dominant run defender, his valuation is hurt by not bringing more value as a pass rusher.

Prospect Comparison: Brandon Williams (2013 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens)