The 2019 NFL DRAFT OFFERS DEPTH AND has some big names at the DE/EDGE position. OSHANE XIMINES TRIES TO DEFY THE ODDS AND WILL PROVE HIS WORTH ONCE HIS NAME IS CALLED IN THE UPCOMING DRAFT.

Oshane Ximines: Small School Gem at DE by: Alex Orillac

Oshane Ximines, a senior out of the University of Old Dominion has slowly made a name for himself in the collegiate football world.

According to NFL.com, Ximines is expected to get his name called early in the 4th round of the draft.

Even though his stats show a part of Ximines, coming from a small school affects his draft stock considerably. This is due to the quality of O-line he had to face in his 4 years at Old Dominion.

With all of that considered, I see Ximines being drafted late in the second round going up against all odds. Now that the bold statement has been made, who is really Oshane Ximines?

Career Progression

Oshane Ximines was a relative unknown outside linebacker from Hertford County HS in Ahoskie, North Carolina. In his 2012 season, he recorded 65 tackles alongside 14 sacks.

According to Rivals, Ximines was a 2-star recruit that got offers from the University of Cincinnati and East Carolina (being the favorites to land him) only to finally settle with Old Dominion.

Ximines joined a pretty solid Old Dominion team that had just ended 2013 with a solid 8-4 record.

In his first season as a starter, he pulled up some impressive numbers getting 32 tackles and 5 sacks. His most notable moment came on the season opener against Eastern Michigan recording 3 tackles, 1 sack, and one fumble recovered. This would serve as a cornerstone for Ximines career at Old Dominion.

In the upcoming 2016 season he improved his numbers to 41 tackles and 7.5 sacks including a win in the Bahama’s Bowl against Eastern Michigan finishing the season 10-3. His best game came against FIU getting 6 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.

Later on 2017, he maintained his numbers with 40 tackles alongside 7.5 sacks in a lackluster season for Old Domain. The only positive Old Domain could get from that season was that Ximines was proving to be a very consistent pass rusher even getting a sack against North Carolina, proving he could terrorize O-Linemen from bigger college powerhouses. This stats earned him a spot at the C-USA first team DE.

On his senior season, he completely dominated the collegiate world stat-wise while also earning his second C-USA first team DE. Ximines earned 58 tackles alongside 12 sacks which ranked 5th in the nation. He was even pivotal getting 2 of those sacks against Virginia Tech on a 49-35 upset.

Scouting Combine

Ximines was invited to the 2019 Scouting Combine at Indianapolis. His stats were the following: 4.78 (40 yard dash) / 24 (bench press reps) / 34 (vertical jump) / 118 (broad jump) / 7.13 (3 cone drill) / 4.57 (20 yard shuttle).

Analyzing those stats, Ximines’s combine was very average and didn’t turn that many heads. His 40 was pretty slow comparing the DE class this year and his vertical, as well as his bench press, were average.

Analysis

Oshane Ximines doesn’t appear to have a freakish athletic ability as his combine numbers show, but buried below those numbers he can be an animal on the field.

Ximines’s tape show he has a quick first step that allows him to defeat offensive linemen before they even get ready to block. This is due to that quick first step I’m talking about and his slim weight. Weighing a little over 250 pounds, Ximines seems leaner for what he actually is.

Contrary to common belief, I believe that Ximines size could be an advantage he could exploit due to his quickness on his feet. He also seems to have an arsenal of spin moves that disorient opposing offensive linemen.

Another aspect of Ximines I completely love is his consistency and his drive to always improve. What could be considered his “down” season may be his freshman year which he also played pretty decently. He is only improving with every snap he gets and he seems to be a quick learner.

On a side note regarding quick learning, Ximines is a pretty bright young man. He is part of Old Dominion’s dean’s list meaning he doesn’t only put work on the field but he also does off the field.

The only concern all experts appear to have with him it’s his size, but as I stated before I’d say that is an overstatement. This kid has proven everyone that he can ball his heart out.

I honestly believe Ximines is ready to take the league by storm and should be considered being drafted in the second round. Remember this name fellas.