Khyiris Tonga NFL Draft Prospect Report
DT, BYU
This prospect is a mountain of a man. At 6’3” 320 lbs. though he has a quick and agile first step. After watching film on him, I really want to see him line up over a guard every now and then and see if there is more to his game than is currently available. For instance, I believe players receive labels based off of the scheme their college coach has them in. Tonga is almost always over center playing nose with three down lineman at BYU. Therefore, I wonder if he could be a better pass rusher if asked to be.
Positives
That being said, he is very good at doing what he is asked to do. That is to eat up space and keep blockers engaged so linebackers can roam free to make plays. When left with only the center to try and block him, Tonga often embarrassed him. In other words he looks like a man among boys. This young man isn’t built in the mold of a penetrating DT like an Aaron Donald or Fletcher Cox, however he rarely loses at the point of attack and when he does he seems to move the blocker side to side to stay in the play. He is built more in the run stuffer mold and would fit well as a run stopping block eater in a 4-3 defense. Though he will probably be drafted as a traditional nose in a 3-4.
Prediction
If an NFL team is struggling to free up its linebackers to make plays, they would be smart to target a player like Tonga. Linebackers will love him and be buying him dinner in no time at all. I’m intrigued by what his combine numbers will be at his pro day. Also, we should be watching these to see if they solidify him as a mid-round pick. -Ken Noble
Jonah’s Thoughts
I love me a block eating, run stuffing defensive tackle, and that’s Khyiris Tonga for you. Tonga is surprisingly quick for his massive frame, engaging the opposing center immediately after snap. Tonga is used to dealing with double teams and he deals with them well, as he will consistently eat up two offensive lineman.
Positives
He wasn’t just eating up space at BYU, Tonga was a solid playmaker racking up plenty of tackles for loss. In his film you can watch him collapse the line against multiple blockers, as well as watching him dominate when he’s one on one. Tonga is in danger of being viewed in a very narrow way. Tonga plays the 0 technique, where he lines up directly over the center. He has shown the ability to blow past guards when lined up in different positions along the defensive line, for instance in the A or B gap.
Prediction
Tonga looks like a 3rd to 4th round pick to me. In conclusion, I believe with the proper development he could become Pat Williamsesque.
