From Cottonwood (Salt Lake City, Utah), defensive tackle Jordan Afo has committed to BYU over Utah State.The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Afo is not expected to play his senior season after suffering a broken vertebra in his back while attempting a backflip at a party. The injury resulted in surgery, wearing a brace and months of extensive rehab.
Afo is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and plans to go on mission after his freshman season in college.
Evaluation: Afo is a kid who displays the ability to be a disruptive presence in the trenches. He displays good size and the frame to keep adding bulk. He will flash the ability to fire off the ball low, shoot his hands, derive power from his lower body, and just stand a blocker up. You like to see that, but want to see it more consistently as he is capable of causing problems in the heart of the trenches if he can do that regularly. He needs to watch his pad level and not get cute and be more consistent with his hands to protect his legs and not let blockers into his chest. He displays a good get-off and can get to the shoulder and get into the gap. He is a solid wrap-up tackler. When he keeps his pads down he can be tough versus the double team and hold his ground. He plays with a good motor. He is best suited for play between the tackles. He will give effort to pursue to the ball on the perimeter, but runs high and displays adequate speed. As a pass rusher he has the tools to bull rush and collapse the pocket. Afo is a kid who could continue to fill out and be a physical and disruptive player. He shows flashes, but needs to work on consistency and if he does he could be a good college defensive tackle.
