6’2 227 LBS Hometown: Belmont, North Carolina Projected Rd: 5th

Grade: 6.49

6.49 = Rookie impact/Middling starter (6.00 – 6.49)

Strengths Straight-line speed

Slipping blockers

Overall ability in run-support

Comes downhill fast, allows him to make plays behind the line from the safety spot

High-motor, always around the ball Weaknesses Stiff hips

Choppy footwork

Speed isn’t as functional as you’d like

Understanding spacing in zone

Slow change of direction, cannot recover and follow receivers through breaks

Combine Results

40 Yd Dash Bench Press Vertical Jump Broad Jump 3 Cone Drill 20 Yd Shuttle SPARQ 4.41 (#2 S, #2 LB) 20 (#4 S) 34.5” 124.0” DNP DNP 132.6 (#5 S, #6 LB)

Overview

5th year senior who played strong safety for the Clemson Tigers. Great athlete but most of that athleticism doesn’t translate onto the field (at S). When running in a straight-line downhill or sideline to sideline that 4.41 speed is apparent, but he lacks flexibility and short area quickness. Hips are tight and his footwork moving around in coverage was downright bad.

These things mainly hurt him when needing to change direction in coverage to either break onto the ball or to trail a receiver in his zone. He has the speed to cover receivers downfield on a streak route but as soon as they make a quick cut or hesitation he usually won’t recover.

A combination of those weaknesses on top of what he is good at is why he projects as a linebacker at the next level. Muse is adept at slipping blockers and his motor and sideline to sideline speed projects him to have a good shot at being a starter down the line at WILL.

Most of my report was negative but that is because he played safety. In the new age of teams wanting speedy linebackers, especially at WILL, Muse fits the profile of what teams want.

Even as a linebacker he could struggle covering inside slants or any route against smaller shifty receivers, but he can cover running backs out of the backfield and tight ends in man to man.

Muse may of been a reach, but with what he showed in run support combined with his athleticism (especially as a LB), I can see him being a rotational LB day one and maybe even a solid starter down the line.

Game By Game Breakdown

Vs. Duke (2018): Tight hips, cannot transition quickly. Gave up a couple catches to a speedy smaller receiver. One in close-man the other in off-man. Backpedal and overall movement in space was mechanical. His 40 suggest straight-line speed but not sure if it is functional. He will likely play LB at the next level and while he showed the ability to shed and come in and hit he wasn’t consistently wrapping up and missed a couple tackles. Nice stat-line and showed a high-motor/knack for being around the ball but did not show many traits to like as a prospect. Best play: 4:25

Vs. Notre Dame (2018 Playoffs): (0:10) Lined up in slot, actually like how quickly he broke to the ball (didn’t look stiff) on the receivers quick out, receiver caught it but Muse made the quick tackle for only 5 yards. (0:18) Like how fast he came up to get in on the TFL from the safety spot. (1:32) Solid open-field tackle on screen. (1:43) Got beat in coverage (not targeted). (2:32) Showed that 4.41 speed but then the receiver cut up-field and due to his lack of lateral quickness got beat badly downfield (wasn’t targeted). (5:22) Took poor angle to the ball allowing catch along the sideline. Same impression from this game as last. Best play: 0:18

Vs. Ohio State (2019 Playoffs): (0:10) Came up and delivered a big hit to Dobbins but he went to high and Dobbins bounced off of him. (1:29) + Coverage. In zone, noticed receiver run go deep to the right side of the field (hiz zone) and picks him up staying with him downfield. (2:15) Here you see that top-level speed as he gets into 2nd gear chasing down Dobbins for the touchdown saving tackle. Great effort. (2:32) + picks up man in zone. (3:05) Slips blocker at the LOS and gets in for the TFL. (3:43) Slips blocker in open-field. (4:34) Ditches his blitz when he noticed Dobbins creep out into a route. (7:27) Got beat in one-on-one coverage but Simmons was there behind him and picked the ball off. (8:10) Terrible spacing in zone, had a lot of help in the inside but still gave a lot of room to the outside so he can break either way, ended up giving up the catch for a first down on 3rd and 10. Like how fast he went from the fake inside blitz to getting back in coverage, usually doesn’t look that quick. (9:08) Perfect example of how sloppy his movement in zone coverage is. Way upright and his feet are not quick at all, very choppy. (9:25) Again, the way he moves around does not look like a polished player being coached by Venables. Had some good plays but also got beat a couple of times outside of the catches he gave up where he was not targeted. Footwork does not look improved from his junior season. Did show more in terms of slipping blockers which is good considering he will play LB at the next level. Best play: 2:15

Vs. LSU (2019 BCS National Championship): First play is lined up at outside corner to cover Edwards Helaire. Sticks with him but ends up slipping when turning and running with him, stays with him though. (1:01) Came up fast and made the quick stop for a loss on a screen.