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* RD 3 Bengals Select Nick Vigil, LB / RB *


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STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS: A sudden and slippery defender with an NFL-blend of vision, awareness and athleticism. Instinctive defender who locates the ball quickly. Trusts what he sees and attacks, showing little hesitation to his game. 

 

Exhibits impressive body control to elude would-be blockers in tight quarters, demonstrating agility, balance and closing speed to throw off the timing of opponents. Alert and athletic in pass protection, showing good quickness to gain depth in his initial drop as well as the fluidity to change direction and cover downfield. 

 

Takes aggressive routes to the ball, showing vision and athleticism in avoiding the trash. Generally reliable open-field tackler, flashing textbook hit-lift-drive form. Willing to sell out and trip up ballcarriers with excellent hand-eye coordination. Isn't afraid of physicality, showing the willingness to take on lead-blockers in the hole. 

 

Effective rusher, altering his gait to leave pass-blockers guessing before zipping free or using a smooth spin back to the inside. Saw action at running back for Utah State, rushing for 171 yards and four touchdowns on 47 attempts, for a 3.63-yards average per carry. 

 

WEAKNESSES: More athletic than powerful at this point and can struggle with physicality. Possesses a relatively slim frame for inside linebacker and may lack ideal arm length, failing to anchor effectively, at times. 

 

An effective open-field tackler with balance and closing speed but lacks ideal strength to knock ballcarriers down with his collisions, generating just average stopping power. Good overall athleticism but has a high backpedal and loses a step in his transition when flipping his hips. 

 

IN OUR VIEW: The younger brother of former Aggie Zach Vigil, who made the Miami Dolphins roster as an undrafted free agent last year, Nick elected to give up his final year of eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Vigil's instincts and agility are NFL-caliber, but he'll need to be protected his defensive line at the next level, making him best-suited to middle or weak-side linebacker in a traditional 4-3 alignment.

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6'2

239 lbs

4.72 (40)

The Vigil brothers were trouble for Mountain West foes in 2013 and 2014, with Nick and his older brother Zach terrorizing offenses with their toughness and heady play. Zach left for the NFL after the 2014 season, and had a good rookie season for Miami despite going undrafted. Instead of waiting for two years to reunite with his sibling at the next level, Nick decided four years at USU was enough, opting to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He certainly ended his career with the Aggies on a high note, garnering first team All-Mountain West honors with 144 tackles (ranking sixth in the FBS), 13.5 of which were for losses (three sacks). Conference coaches voted him first team as a sophomore, as well, because he made 123 tackles, 16.5 for loss and seven sacks. He also played five games at running back (41-152, three TD rushing), starting one there to make him the only player in the country that year starting on both sides of the ball. Even as a redshirt freshman, Vigil got on the field regularly, starting four of 14 games played and making 55 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and 5.5 sacks, with seven of those tackles and 1.5 of those sacks coming against Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Analysis

Strengths

Eye­-popping production from the middle with 30 tackles for loss and 267 tackles over last two seasons according to the school. High school running back with above average vision and feel for track of the run. Quick to diagnose and respond to play direction. Uses instincts to help him win races over top of climbing linemen. Disciplined gap awareness, but bounces to the play when run lane is declared. Loose hips allow for cover ability from zone. Wide-­armed, wrap-up tackler looking to chest up on each tackle. Not lacking toughness for the middle.

Weaknesses

Slender frame that might not carry normal girth for the position. Needs to play with better punch and active hands to stay clean. Can be smothered by size. Gets bounced around when caught up in traffic during flow to the ball. Instincts make him seem more athletic and fast than he might actually be. Lacks sudden twitch and change of direction ability. Lost a couple of races to the perimeter where he had the angle.

Draft Projection

Rounds 5 or 6

NFL Comparison

Hunter Hillenmeyer

Bottom Line

Vigil has the desire and instincts to play in the NFL, but his slim frame and lack of play strength will need to be addressed in the weight room and the training table. Vigil’s athletic scores at the combine could push his draft stock in either direction, but with more mass, he has the ability to stick on a roster even though it may need to be as an outside linebacker in a 4-­3 defense.
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