Top photos of Eastern Kenucky's DE/OLB Noah Spence in action.
Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Noah Spence (8) warms up prior to the NCAA college football playoff national championship game against the Oregon Ducks on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 42-20. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Ohio State defensive lineman Noah Spence (8) lines up against Illinois offensive linesman Michael Heitz (74) and offensive linesman Alex Hill (52)during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes)
In this photo taken Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, Eastern Kentucky defensive end Noah Spence runs through drills during NCAA college football practice for the Senior Bowl at LaddPeebles Stadium, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Ohio State defensive lineman Noah Spence, right, sacks Purdue quarterback Danny Etling during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive lineman Noah Spence, left, recovers a fumble by Purdue running back Brandon Cottom, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence #97 is seen for the South during NCAA college football practice for the Senior Bowl, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at Fairhope Municipal Stadium, in Fairhope, Ala.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Week 7: DEN vs. LAC - Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 - Jahleel Addae
Week 7: DEN vs. LAC - Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 - Jahleel Addae
*In order to familiarize fans with some of the top names in the 2016 NFL Draft, Chargers.com will be highlighting a different prospect each weekday leading up to the first day of the draft on April 28th. *
We continue the series with a scouting report of Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence.
Name: Noah Spence
School: Eastern Kentucky
Height: 6-2
Weight: 251 pounds
Position: DE
NFL Network Pro Comparison: Whitney Mercilus
There is no denying Noah Spence's immense talent.
His biggest question mark is whether he has matured past character concerns that plagued his college career.
Spence played his first two seasons at Ohio State, where he was a first-team All-Big-Ten selection as a sophomore in 2013 when he finished second in the conference with 8.0 sacks and sixth with 14.5 tackles for loss. Poised to break out as a junior, he failed a pair of drug tests and was banned from the Big-Ten.
Many thought Spence would declare for the 2015 draft, but he instead opted to prove he put his troubles in the past by transferring to Eastern Kentucky. It proved to be a fortuitous decision as he tallied 13.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss on his way to becoming an AP FCS All-American.
A 6-2, 251-pound terror, Spence is blessed with an incredible closing burst he uses to punish quarterbacks. He thrives coming off the edge where he uses an arsenal of moves to keep opposing linemen off balance. Nonetheless, some scouts would like to see more strength at the point of attack as well as improved snap anticipation.
Even though Spence played defensive end in college, many believe he is best suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Overall, few debate Spence's talent even if they differ on how long it will take for his name to be called come draft day.
Combine Metrics
40-Yard Dash:4.80 seconds
Bench Press: 25 reps
Vertical Jump: 35.0 inches
Broad Jump: 121.0 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.21 seconds
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed above do not represent the opinions or policies of the San Diego Chargers' front office staff, coaches or executives.
