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Anttaj Hawthorne DT Wisconsin 6’3 305
By: Robert Davis

Anttaj Hawthorne has been a constant on the Wisconsin D-Line since his true freshman season. He truly blew up as a junior, recording 20 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, along with 75 tackles on the year, being named All Big 10 in the process. As a senior, Hawthorne’s numbers dipped a bit, but he still had a very good year with 42 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 6 sacks, and even had an interception on the seasons.

Anttaj Hawthorne has a lot of ability at the defensive tackle spot. He is strong, athletic, and quick. He can get penetration almost whenever he wants and holds up well at the point to be a force in the running game. He’s played since his true freshman season in the Big 10, and brings plenty of experience. He was named team captain as a senior.

Hawthorne can be as good as he wants to be. The problem is, he doesn’t seem to want it all the time. He’ll take plays off and be invisible for chunks of the game. He has to show more intensity on the football field.

Anttaj Hawthorne reminds me a bit of former Badger Wendell Bryant. He’s had the all around ability to be a force, he just seems to pick and choose when he wants to play. He should battle Florida St’s Travis Johnson as the top DT taken in this draft. I rate Hawthorne as a late first rounder, but he may come off the board earlier with the lack of quality DT’s available in the draft.

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