Brian Urlacher's replacement? Meet Nate Irving from NC State.

[Rush]

I would love nothing more then to have the Bears draft this guy. This is far from a "hey this guy is my favorite player zomgZ!!1" type post, yet a serious call to attention that he could replace Urlacher. I really hope our team doesn't pass up on him.

Living in North Carolina, I saw a handful of his games and this guy has a motor that doesn't stop. The intensity he plays with is comparable to Ray Lewis. Great tackler, as evidenced below with the stats and breakout games....also good in coverage. His play recognition is something that I really like about him too. He racks up a lot of sacks on zone blitzes because he sells his cover steps very well. I credit his great play to being a great player, not playing against ACC talent.

What do you guys think?

Nate Irving, NC State. 6'1'' 235lbs

Nate Irving Stats, Splits, News, Photos - North Carolina State Wolfpack - NCAA College Football - ESPN

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMO_dMLopkY]YouTube - ACC Player of the Week - Nate Irving[/ame]

NC State's Nate Irving earned ACC Defensive Line Player of the Week after his outstanding performance against Georgia Tech on Saturday. Irving set a career high in tackles with 16 which included two sacks. Nate was also named the Walter Camp Foundation's National Defensive Player of the Week.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56vB3Y6Udc]YouTube - Nate Irving feature by Raycom Sports[/ame]

Position: ILB
School & Year/Status: North Carolina State - Senior
Jersey Number: #56
Height & Weight: 6'1 - 231 lbs.
Ranked #84 on our Top 100 Prospects Board

2011 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
Nate Irving, ILB, North Carolina State
Nate Irving has battled some major obstacles throughout his collegiate career, but when he has been on the field, the 6-1 linebacker has been an extremely productive player. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, Irving emerged as an impact player for North Carolina State. He was not on the field too often early in the year, but 27 of his 52 tackles during that season came during the last four games. By 2008 Irving was ready to step into a full-time starting role. He did just that and had a superb season. Unfortunately Irving missed some time with an ankle injury, but he still ranked third on the team with 84 tackles and led the Wolfpack with four interceptions. Despite missing the better part of four games, Irving was still an honorable mention All-ACC performer.
That led to some high expectations in 2009, but football was not important after Irving was involved in a serious car accident. In late June, the accident resulted in a compound fracture, a collapsed lung, a broken rib and a separated shoulder. Irving's football future was in doubt, but by the winter he was back and getting ready for the 2010 season. And Irving is back and leading NC State this season. Through nine games he leads the team with 65 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss and eight quarterback hurries.

Irving's ability to come back from life threatening injuries is an inspiring story. He is obviously a very tough individual and hard worker and any NFL team would be happy to have him. At the next level he can make an impact on special teams and work his way into the regular rotation at inside or outside linebacker. That versatility makes him an intriguing option for some defensive schemes and he could be a good value in the middle rounds for the right team.

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2586

Very fast, very instinctive linebacker. Plays very aggressively, doesn't waste movements, hits hard and plays with a high motor. Almost too aggressive at times, needs to work on staying focused while maintaining his speed and not making mistakes. Missed 2009 season after injuries sustained in a car accident. Great young talent at linebacker, should be fun to watch at the next level and over the next few seasons as he continues to improve.

http://www.pigskinheaven.com/draft/player.php?playerid=567

 

[drunkntailgater]

Looks like a beast! I'll be watching to see where he goes in the draft now!

 

[Rush]

Looks like a beast! I'll be watching to see where he goes in the draft now!

His stock was rising 2 years ago and missed the entire season last year due to almost dying in a car accident. Watch the 10 minute raycom special youtube video at the end of the post....amazing story.

This guy can seriously play linebacker.

 

[ClydeLee]

Projected 4th round. If the Bears were to draft him it would likely need to be with their later 3rd round pick or trading down otherwise he'll be off the board.

If he can add value too playing SLB as well early he could be worth it. I think JA(If JA is still drafting) will pick up a mid-late round linebacker again this year because it's his MO and they don't have that starter building prospect depth they used to with Jamar Williams or other guys.

Urlacher could still play at a high level at least 2 years if not more.

 

[Rush]

Projected 4th round. If the Bears were to draft him it would likely need to be with their later 3rd round pick or trading down otherwise he'll be off the board.

If he can add value too playing SLB as well early he could be worth it. I think JA(If JA is still drafting) will pick up a mid-late round linebacker again this year because it's his MO and they don't have that starter building prospect depth they used to with Jamar Williams or other guys.

Urlacher could still play at a high level at least 2 years if not more.

Carolina fans are just as displeased with Jamar Williams as we were. Hopefully Rod Wilson and Nick Roach will be vacated by a draft choice of Irving.

 

[thedude33]

Yeah if he's in the 3rd or 4th, I'd be all for him. I think they need to get some offense in the earlier rounds, though.

 

[Dirty35]

Goodell would fine him $100,000 for slamming someone head first into the ground.

Seriously! Is that guy still alive?!? OUCH

 

[Capt. Serious]

Bears need some O-Line before another LB.

 

[Nick34]

he'll be a 3-4 guy...definitely a pass rushing LB

 

[Relapse]

he'll be a 3-4 guy...definitely a pass rushing LB

He is not even close to being a 3-4 rush linebacker, he is not nearly big or fast enough. Elvis Dumervil is the exception not the rule, and Nate Iriving's physical skills put him as an inside linebacker or possibly a will linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.

With Brian Urlacher having another couple season's left in his legs we can afford to draft a "project" player who maybe raw but has the physical tools to develop into another stud middle linebacker for us. The guy I really like that should be available in the middle rounds in the draft is Kelvin Sheppard from LSU, he is bigger and faster than Irving as well as more productive. Sheppard also has the rare ability of being able to get to the quarterback attacking the middle of the offensive line. Sheppard could go as high as round 2 or as low as round 5 so if he is off the board I would not mind drafting Nate Irving at all but his size and speed do concern me with how high his ceiling could be.

 

[ClydeLee]

Carolina fans are just as displeased with Jamar Williams as we were. Hopefully Rod Wilson and Nick Roach will be vacated by a draft choice of Irving.

Who was disappointed in him?? Maybe those who thought he would be better than Roach at SLB? He is a Weakside linebacker and that was all he was best at. The dumb problem Carolina made for themselves was moving John Beason "the Beast" from middle linebacker where he was great the past 3 years into the weakside spot and made Williams useless to them. Still no idea why they did that though.

 

[Rush]

Who was disappointed in him?? Maybe those who thought he would be better than Roach at SLB? He is a Weakside linebacker and that was all he was best at. The dumb problem Carolina made for themselves was moving John Beason "the Beast" from middle linebacker where he was great the past 3 years into the weakside spot and made Williams useless to them. Still no idea why they did that though.

I just recall seeing posts on CarolinaHuddle (Big Panther forum) about how bad they got screwed over for trading Chris Harris, a starting safety, for Jamar Williams who only saw the field on ST and injuries.

I wasn't a big fan of his play at all either.

 

[ClydeLee]

Chris Harris was likely to be cut because they didn't want to start him from what the accounts were coming out of their media.

Williams just happened to be a scheme-position guy, who was behind an elite player. He isn't great but he was a quality backup, not like Iwuh who the team needs to stop hyping for his play.

 

[Pre]

He's a good player, but he's not Urlacher good. Still would be a good pickup.

 

[USCChiFan]

He is not even close to being a 3-4 rush linebacker, he is not nearly big or fast enough. Elvis Dumervil is the exception not the rule, and Nate Iriving's physical skills put him as an inside linebacker or possibly a will linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.

With Brian Urlacher having another couple season's left in his legs we can afford to draft a "project" player who maybe raw but has the physical tools to develop into another stud middle linebacker for us. The guy I really like that should be available in the middle rounds in the draft is Kelvin Sheppard from LSU, he is bigger and faster than Irving as well as more productive. Sheppard also has the rare ability of being able to get to the quarterback attacking the middle of the offensive line. Sheppard could go as high as round 2 or as low as round 5 so if he is off the board I would not mind drafting Nate Irving at all but his size and speed do concern me with how high his ceiling could be.

This

 

[MRN]

He's a will backer in a 4-3, I don't see him in a 3-4, far too small.

 

[IronMike]

Draft this guy. I want to see him body slamming QB's in a Bears uniform.

 

[Relapse]

He's a good player, but he's not Urlacher good. Still would be a good pickup.

Is there any player you have pegged to be a league defensive player of the year as well as a future hall of famer? Come on, be realistic.

Draft this guy. I want to see him body slamming QB's in a Bears uniform.

I would rather not have a guy costing us 15 yards every time they touched the quarterback.

 

[TheOtherGuy76]

A guy with that kind of intensity would be great to have. Speed quickness and toughness what more do you want from a linebacker.

How's his leadership?