Jonathan Bullard – Florida Gators

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 283
Year: Senior
Hometown: Shelby, NC
Experience: 3 year starter
Born 1994
#90

Measurables:

40yd dash: 4.93
Broad jump: 116 
Vertical: 32
3-cone: 7.31
20yd. Shuttle: 4.56
Bench Press: 23

Career Notes:

Bullard was a top ranked DE nationally coming out of Crest High School in North Carolina (Rivals, 5 stars). He started twice as a freshman but played in every Gator game, recording 27 tackles and 5 TFL.

Injuries to teammates forced Bullard inside in 2013, and he continued to play 2-5 technique consistently after that. He started only 8 games his sophomore season due to injuries.

Bullard turned a corner in his junior year, starting every game and recording 52 tackles with 8.5 TFL. He considered turning pro after 2014, but instead chose to return to school. In his senior year, Bullard posted 18 TFL, good for 3^rd in the SEC, and was named a college All-American.

During the Gators’ September 2015 victory over Kentucky, Bullard had 2 sacks and 5 tackles, earning SEC defensive lineman of the week honors.

Injury Report: 

Bullard was nagged by knee injuries and missed 2 games in 2013, but subsequently started 26 straight games. Bullard was listed as doubtful against Florida State after missing practice all week with a knee injury, but surprisingly suited up for his senior day.

Career Stats:

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jonathan-bullard-1.html

Analysis:

1. Getoff – 4.0/ 5.0
   • Exceptional quickness off snap. Consistently establishes point on offensive side of LOS. Head position not compromised by getoff.
   • Maintains balance/vision through getoff well.
   • Uses arms / fake punch / length / strength to establish point early.
   • Lateral getoffs average, except when unblocked.
   • Does not run himself out of plays often
      
2. Pass Rush Arsenal – 2.5/5.0
   • Bull: easily most common move employed.~ 65% of Bullard’s wins vs opposing OL come from bull. Uses arms welland has strength. Cannot consistently bull through top flight SEC lineman, but consistently beats lesser guards 1 on 1 with pure power.  Would like to see pad level lower on occasion.
   • Arm-over: uses arm over well at LOS. Does not employ often.
   • Swim: does not use often.
   • Rip: rarely employed.
   • Shooting Gap: Bullard’s getoff allows him to shoot the A or B gap fairly consistently, even when the OL gets a hand on him, especially towards his left. This tendency leaves him open to be steered through a gap on run plays, however. Majority of other “wins” for Bullard come from gap-shooting quickness
      
3. Anchor – 4.0/5.0
   • Anchor against run is very strong. Rarely moved off line by single blocker. can be double teamed in run game. Shows good balance and movement off of anchor if needed.
   • Knee bend consistent, keeps shoulders square and does not lose balance or give ground.
   • Hips: does not demonstrate consistent ability to flip/ change hips with anything but average fluidity. Would like to see more pass rush from 7-tech to judge this.
   • Has good finishing, ability to throw body around from anchor. Can stay upright a little too much vs. Double teams. Pad placement could be lower overall sometimes, especially later in game.
      
4. Hands & Feet – 3.5 /5.0
   • Hand placement consistently inside. Hands exceptionally strong against run / does not allow offensive lineman to get inside his pads. Does this by using length well in addition to hand use.
   • Uses hands well to shoot gaps/ pass off badly angled punches especially in passing blockers who are on his right.
   • Would like to see hands developed and used for pass rush moves.
   • Feet: consistently keeps steps short and choppy early in play, especially when not moving laterally
   • Very good explosiveness, shown when shooting gaps
   • Good feet when rushing the passer, always uses short steps when lined up inside.
   • Not overly nimble on his feet, but maintains very good, steady balance
      
5. Closing, Finishing, & Effort – 4.0 / 5.0
   • Tackles well, even when blocked. Has good ability to get body into position inside when playing 0-2 t. Good, willing solo tackler. Can generally bring down college rbs with arm tackle, but does not rely on arm tackle.
   • Sometimes struggles to finish QBs in space. Generally finished and closed well.
   • Burst is very good, but doesn’t let explosiveness run him by ball carrier.
   • Can let his pad level get too high when fatigued.
   • High motor player. Will follow plays to other side. Lateral quickness is lacking but often makes the play due to effort. Keeps looking and moving.
      
6. Vision, Awareness, Football IQ – 4.5/5.0
   • Head direction is consistent and proper. Eyes seem to be in the right place generally and through fakes.
   • does not get lost lost in screens, options, etc
   • When asked to take on double team to free up teammate on stunts, executes well
   • Attempts to bat down ball fairly often, though not as often as one would like. Also depends on coaching.
   • Can avoid cut blocks because of burst / attempt to shooting gaps, but depends on guard
   • lateral movement slow but made up for by vision on some occasions
   • Did not seem prone to late hits / had minimal penalties (charted 2 offside in 5 games)

The Verdict:
Bullard is a classic “tweener”  4-3 DL who, depending on his work at the next level, could develop into a penetrating/run-stuff 3 technique or pass rushing end. To do the former he would need to gain strength and weight without losing quickness. He sorely lacks pass rush moves to become an edge rusher, but has good feet, hands, brain, quickness to play at the next level. Very good against the run and very good at maintaining his position and leverage, consistently throws around or runs by lesser guards. Most impressive trait is ability to shoot gaps and penetrate backfield off snap.

Overall Grade: 3.8/5.0  
Mid-first to mid-second round

If drafted by the Packers:

If Bullard is drafted by the Packers, one can see him being used inside as a penetrating tackle, a la Mike Daniels. Bullard is longer and slightly thinner than Daniels, but his game is reminiscent of the Packer star; with a little bit of added weight and development of his hands, Bullard could use his first step quickness and power to contribute as an inside rusher in Dom Capers’ 3-4.

Video: