Scouts Inc. Grade: 96 (1st round), #4 overall (#1 DT)
6-2, 337, 5.2 40
Overall Football Traits
Production 2
Raji appeared in 11 games during his true freshman season in 2004 finishing with 13 total tackles, six unassisted tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. He started five of the 11 games he appeared in during the 2005 season finishing with 27 total tackles, 15 unassisted tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup. Raji started six of the 12 games he appeared in during the 2006 season finishing with 23 total tackles, 16 unassisted tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, three pass breakups and one forced fumble., Boston College red-shirted him in 2007 because of academic issues. Raji started 13 out of 14 games he appeared in during the 2008 season recording 42 total tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks and five pass breakups. He earns first-team All ACC honors.
Height-Weight-Speed 2
Adequate height and top-end speed but elite bulk and carries weight fairly well.
Durability 3
2008: Misses spring practices while rehabbing from shoulder surgery.
Character 4
2006: Gets ejected from the Central Michigan game and suspended for the first half of the Clemson game the following week after throwing a punch at a Central Michigan player. 2007: Academically ineligible and Boston College red shirts him as a result. Has had some problems keeping weight down in the past. Willing to line up at nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme or defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme.
Defensive Tackle specific Traits
Agility/Quickness 2
Excellent athletic ability for size and Boston College even used him to spy the quarterback in the 2008 North Carolina State game. Quick and can shoot into the backfield.
Strength/Toughness 2
Excellent upper body strength and lower body strength appears more than adequate on film. Appears to wear down late in games and effort is inconsistent when starts to tire.
Instincts 2
Appears to guess at times and takes some false steps but keeps head up, locates ball quickly and can recover when gets caught out of position. Does an adequate job of getting hands up when sees quarterback start throwing motion though he could still improve in this area.
Pass Rusher 2
Above-average closing burst for his size. Takes the shortest path to the quarterback, flashes the ability to collapse the pocket and is a relentless pass rusher. Though isn't very tall, good leaper for size and can tip passes at the line of scrimmage. Flashes effective spin and rip moves but too much of a one-dimensional bull rusher at this point. Needs to do a better job of bending inside as he works upfield.
Run Stopper 1
Plays too high at times but stout when stays low. Doesn't use hands well and takes too long to shed block when blockers lock on but is so strong and quick off the ball that offensive linemen have a hard time locking on. Takes adequate angles to the ball and flashes the ability to make plays in pursuit though motor is a bit inconsistent.
Trait Scale
1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal