Desmond Bishop ILB 6'2 233 Cal 4.81

Bishop originally signed with the University of Nevada, but ended up at the City College of San Francisco. He became one of the best JuCo recruits in the country after posting 118 tackles in 10 games in 2004, and landed at Cal the following season. As a junior, his first at the D1 level, he finished with 89 tackles, six of them coming for loss. Bishop was again a force against the run as a senior, tallying 114 tackles, 14 for loss, three sacks, and three interceptions.

Desmond Bishop is an excellent run stuffer. He has the size and strength to take on blocks, the instincts to quickly react, and the quickness to get to the football. He is aggressive to the line once he reads a run play, and is always around the football when the tackle is made. He shows some ability to get to the outside and stop running plays to the perimeter as well.

A standout in the running game, Bishop has not shown much in coverage. He lacks the awareness to pick up the ball in coverage, and doesn’t have the athleticism to follow the receiver on his route either.

Bishop appears to be just a two down run stopper. He displayed more awareness in coverage this season, but still needs a lot of work playing in space and keeping up with receivers through their routes. He has the potential to develop, but at the very least, shows the ability to be a force between the tackles stopping the run. He shed some weight in an attempt to clock a better 40, but it is probably in his best interested to get back in the 240 range and play to his strengths.