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SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: Ricky Sapp possesses top-notch speed and an electrifying first step. Whereas speed is his best attribute, he needs to add more dimensions to his game in order to be an every-down player in the NFL.

Cons: Sapp has bulked up some since he arrived at Clemson in 2006, but he will need to stay in the weight room in order to help his agility and strength catch up with his motor. He has some hurdles to overcome in the conditioning department too, as injuries hampered his junior season.

Skinny: Considered undersized by many NFL personnel; Sapp makes up for it with his athleticism and quick burst of speed off the snap of the ball. At 6’4 and 245 pounds, Sapp can add some more bulk as well as strength. Right now Sapp is also pretty one-dimensional in his pass rush and his straight line speed and his initial burst to beat tackles off the line of scrimmage. He will certainly need to show an expanded repertoire during his final season in the orange and purple. As a junior, Sapp registered 28 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. If he does show that he can add some bulk and strength then he will be a better overall defensive end that can not only rush the passer with speed, but take on the run and use some other pass rushing moves.

Projection: Sapp could be used in a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, but his best bet would be to add the bulk and play in a 4-3 at the next level. Most scouts feel Sapp will be taken somewhere around the 2nd-3rd round-range.

NEWS

01.18.10 - A defensive end in college, the 6-4, 245-pounder is projected as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Most mock drafts have him listed as a first-round pick because of one factor - the ultra-athletic, fast-as-lightning Sapp can get after the quarterback. “I’m hearing pretty much the same thing,” Sapp said. “I think it depends on my knee, how well I run the 40 and how strong I am. “A lot of teams want me to play in the 3-4,” he added. “And, I would probably rather play in the 3-4 because I can stand up and rush the passer. I’m a pass rusher so that is what I will do best.” Sapp partially tore the ACL in his right knee against Virginia last season, but he insists he is all healed up. There’s no reason to think otherwise. He finished this season with 54 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble, earning second team All-ACC honors. – Times and Democrat

12.26.09 - There are six Tigers with more tackles than Sapp, but none is more disruptive. The senior end leads Clemson with 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and 17 quarterback hurries. He's a big part of the reason the Tigers lead the ACC with 34 sacks, 20 more than last season. - Courier-Journal

12.31.08 - Sapp did not get a start in his freshman year at Clemson but still managed to register six tackles for loss, four sacks and nine quarterback hurries in spot duty. In 2007, he started every game amassing 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and five quarterback hurries. Late in the 2008 season, Sapp partially tore the ACL in his right knee requiring surgery, Before he went down, Sapp had 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. Sapp planned to return for his senior season prior to his injury and now that appears to be a foregone conclusion.

11.24.08 - Junior bandit end Ricky Sapp is out for the season after suffering a partially torn ACL, the school confirmed Sunday. Sapp sustained the injury in the first half of Saturday's 13-3 victory at Virginia. He suffered a deep knee bruise in the opening series of the Alabama opener and either sat out or got minimal time in the next three games. While he returned to the starting lineup against Maryland, the knee continued bothering him and the medical staff had to occasionally drain it. Sapp had just two sacks, tied with four others for the team lead, while also sharing the team-high for tackles for loss (10). Last week, he reiterated plans to return for his senior season but would file paperwork with the NFL's underclassmen advisory committee to gauge his draft projection.

07.28.09 - Clemson junior defensive end Ricky Sapp is one of 36 preseason candidates for the Ted Hendricks Award, the honor given each year to the top defensive end in college football. Sapp is one of four ACC players on the list. He is joined by Everette Brown of Florida State, Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech, and Willie Young of N.C. State.

07.01.08 - Clemson’s Ricky Sapp, a former standout at Bamberg-Ehrhardt, was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List Monday. The award is given to the College Defensive Player of the Year. Sapp, a junior, earned the nomination after posting 52 tackles and five sacks. He is joined on the list by Clemson teammate Michael Hamlin, the brother of South Carolina State safety Markee Hamlin, and South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley.

VITALS

Medical Examiner - Sapp's 2008 campaign came to a halt against Virginia when he tore his ACL. He also suffered a knee strain that limited him in two games.

Honor Roll - Honorable Mention Freshman All-American by Scout.com. Sapp was also a USA Today First-Team All-American coming out of high school at Bamberg-Ehrhardt.

High School - Notched 11 sacks as a senior as well as being a successful sprinter on the track team. He played in the U.S. Army All-Star Game and was a Shrine Bowl selection. He is the #2 defensive end in the nation according to Collegefootballnews.com.

Personal - Sapp went to the same high school as the 2008 top-rated high school player in the nation (ESPN.com), DaQuan Bowers.

Bio