Coverage - Lacks a natural feel and his best value on passing downs is likely to come as a blitzer. Slow responses to routes to his zone and doesn’t profile as a strong option for man coverage duties.
Tackling - Outstanding tackler that aims low and securely wraps up the ball carrier. Rarely comes up empty and does well to square up and hang on. Brings good power to the point of attack.
Blocks - Does well to take on blocks with leverage and physicality. Can dart and dash around traffic, keeping his hands active. Quick trigger diagnosing the run often keeps him ahead of blocks.
Physicality - Knows how to play behind his hands and maneuver through traffic. Brings good pop when tackling and stacking blocks.
Motor - Pursues the football with urgency and makes plays on account of hustle. Aggressively attacks in every direction. Successful blitzer from distance and at the line of scrimmage, which speaks to his motor.
Processing - Is a fairly clean processor and rarely takes himself out of plays with misreads but his trigger can be a touch slow. Doesn’t have the most natural feel in his coverage drops.
Range - Has adequate mobility but he doesn’t always play to his timed speed. More successful between the tackles than getting out in space and making plays.
Flexibility - Has adequate fluidity but is not overly loose. Has some hesitation driving off his back foot and attacking but it's fairly minor. Modest change of direction skills.
Versatility - His optimal role is as an inside linebacker in a 4-3 but he could also play strong side backer. Not likely to be an asset on passing downs.
BEST TRAIT - Defending Inside Run
WORST TRAIT - Coverage
RED FLAGS - 2017 - high ankle sprain, 2018 - high ankle sprain, 2014 - torn labrum, 2015 - torn labrum.
A four-year starter for Gary Patterson at TCU, Summers profiles as a MIKE linebacker at the next level where his sound processing skills against the run, tackling skills and physicality playing into the line of scrimmage are maximized. Despite strong athletic testing, Summers isn’t the most natural space player and he lacks comfort in coverage. With that said, he has been an effective blitzer and edge rusher which gives him some value on passing downs. Summers has some restrictions and his injury history is alarming, but he has a chance to make an impact in base defense and special teams at the next level.
Round Grade - Late Day Three