Name: Geneo Grissom
College: Oklahoma
Class: Redshirt Senior
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 252
Background/Character | Leadership: 8 | Experience: 6 | Off-the-Field: 7 |
| Mental Capacity: 8 | Mental Toughness: 8 | Durability: 7 |
Grissom switched from defensive end, to tight end, to defensive end to linebacker during his career at Oklahoma. He was suspended as a freshman, but never had another documented incident. Suffered two injuries in college, with one forcing him to medical redshirt and a sprained MCL.
Final Grade: 7.33
Athleticism | Balance: 8 | C.O.D: 7 | Explosiveness: 8 |
| Flexibility: 8 | Coordination: 8 | Body Type: 10 |
Geneo has a great frame for an outside linebacker in a 4-3 frame, possessing good length. He is not a standout athlete as a front seven defender, but he has the tools to be a good player. Grissom moves well in space and has occasionally covered slot tight ends.
Final Grade: 8.16
Overall | Football IQ: 8 | Tackling: 7 | Motor: 7 |
| Read/React: 7 | Play Strength: 8 | Consistency: 7 |
Although he has the tools to be a starter in time, Grissom’s energy level and motor must improve. Far too often he would not work to chase down running backs as a weak side defender. As a pass rusher, he is prone to engaging the tackle and effectively taking the rest of the play off. He’s a good player when he tries, but that’s not as often as he needs to.
Final Grade: 7.33
Run Defense | Range: 8 | Pursuit: 7 | Body Positioning: 7 |
| In Traffic: 8 | Block Shedding: 7 | Hole Filling: 8 |
Grissom played his best as an outside linebacker for OU, but he was miscast as a 3-4 edge rusher. He stands out the most when he’s in run defense because of his ability to set the edge and stay stout at the line of scrimmage. Grissom doesn't shed tackles especially well, lacking the hand strength and jolt needed to disengage.
Final Grade: 7.5
Pass Defense | Man Pickup: 8 | Zone Drops: 8 | Ball Tracking: 7 |
| Hand Usage: 7 | Blitzing: 6 | Rush Moves: 6 |
Despite playing in coverage for only one season, Grissom showed he can be a competent player when he drops back into space. His natural athleticism is his ally right now, but if he can improve his technique and add some variety to his pass rush repertoire, he can become a well-rounded linebacker.
Final Grade: 7
| Player Comparison: | Nigel Bradham |
| Projected Draft Position: | 4th Round |
| Best Scheme Fit: | 4-3 SLB |
| Injury History: | Sprained MCL in right knee in 2014 |
| Career Accolades: | Participated in 39 games in career |
| Career Stats: | 88 tackles, 17 TFL, 8 sacks |
Final Analysis
A participant at the 2015 Senior Bowl, Geneo Grissom has come a long way since he came to Norman as a defensive end and tight end recruit. He’s raw at the linebacker position still, with only one season of development there. The position change was good, however, as Grissom is not a natural pass rusher and should not be a down rusher often. He can eat a block, but he is mostly ineffective off the edge.
If he’s at either outside linebacker spot in a 4-3, he can earn playing time or be a good starter. Due to his motor, he looks the best as a strong side linebacker.
Final Grade: 7.35 - 4th round value