FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Entering the NFL Draft early worked out well for linebacker Curtis Lofton.
The Falcons picked the Oklahoma star with the 37th overall pick.
One of only two early-entry linebackers ranked among the top-15 prospects according to NFLDraftScout.com, Lofton overcame rough pre-Draft workouts with a history of big hits and playmaking.
Last season he became a full-time starter at the strong side and started 10 straight games before moving to the middle. He put up career highs in tackles (94 solo) and moved into seventh place on the school's single-season list. His average of 11.2 tackles per game ranked seventh in the nation. He also had one sack, more than 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. That was good enough to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
"I would say I'm explosive; I'm a big hitter," Lofton said last month when asked about his game. "I make big plays, great tackler and I drop good in coverage."
A strong-side linebacker for most of his career, Lofton is just starting to tap his vast potential and may have found his calling at middle linebacker. He shifted inside for his final four games with the Sooners and finished his junior campaign with one of the most productive seasons by a defender, as his 157 total tackles are the most by an Oklahoma player since George Cumby amassed 160 hits in 1979.
In 39 games at Oklahoma, Lofton started 19 times, including four starts at middle linebacker. He recorded 197 tackles (117 solo) with a two-yard sack and 16 stops for losses of 33 yards. He caused five fumbles and recovered two others, returning one 12 yards for a score. He gained 71 yards on three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown and batted down two other throws. He also gained 16 yards on a pair of onside kickoff returns.
“As a freshman, I came into Oklahoma as a middle linebacker and also played during my sophomore year," he said Saturday in a conference call. "They had a guy go down at the strong-side linebacker position and I was up for a job as a linebacker, so they switched me over. I started at that position for five games and felt really good. At the start of my junior year, my linebacker coach moved me back to middle linebacker, and I’ve been there ever since.”
Coaches agree Lofton has found his comfort zone.
“Curtis Lofton is a tackling machine," said Head Coach Mike Smith, himself a former linebacker. "He’s a guy that made a lot of tackles. There’s been a number of outstanding linebackers to play at the University if Oklahoma over the last few years. Coach (Bob) Stoops said that Curtis may the best one he’s had. He’s got versatility, he played (strong side) linebacker early in his career and was moved to the (middle linebacker) linebacker position this year. He’s a guy that can make plays all over the field.”
"He’s a heck of an athlete, a tough guy and he’ll really shore up our inside as well as his versatility to play multiple positions at the linebacker spot, added General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. "So we’re excited about Lofton being on board as well.”
Lofton said the team thinks he could play all three positions. He also visited with the Falcons before the Draft where he reviewed some film with coaches.
“I feel comfortable anywhere," he said. "I definitely feel comfortable playing the middle position, but I also feel comfortable playing offside too.”
MORE ON LINEBACKER CURTIS LOFTON:
- JERSEY: Get your Curtis Lofton jersey at Falcons365
- VIDEO: Combine Interview | Highlights
- FEATURE: AF.com preview on Lofton, linebackers
- WIKIPEDIA: Curtis Lofton
- YOUTUBE: Curtis Lofton 2007 Highlights
- YOUTUBE: More 2007 Highlights
- NFL.com: Curtis Lofton Profile
