LB, Alabama
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 228 lbs
Class: Senior
To’oTo’o was listed as four-star recruit and the No. 44 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class. He earned 19 offers before committing to Tennessee. His recruitment was a major coup for the Volunteers, as To’oTo’o chose them over the likes of Alabama and Oregon. He started every game in his two seasons in Knoxville, earning Second Team All-SEC honours in 2020.
To’oTo’o entered the transfer portal ahead of the 2021 season in the wake of the Volunteers’ recruiting scandal. He landed at Alabama, where he has started every game over the last two seasons. His time in Tuscaloosa saw him earn another Second Team All-SEC nod, before making the First Team in 2022.
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Strengths
To’oTo’o’s biggest strength is his mental processing. He has four years of starting experience at two different programs under his belt and it shows on tape. His first step is good, and you rarely see him fooled by misdirection. His quick processing often allows him to overcome some of his physical limitations. To’oTo’o has had signal calling responsibilities at both Tennessee and Alabama. These defensive schemes are known for their complex coverages and calls so this will be a prized asset as he moves into the NFL.
Perhaps his best tape comes when reading the run. To’oTo’o shows excellent football instincts in this regard, with the ability to quickly read and react to different blocking schemes. He triggers quickly against the run and generally takes good pursuit angles. He also shows a high level of awareness when working in the box, recognising opportunities for cutbacks and neutralising them.
Another of To’oTo’o’s strengths is his explosiveness. He has impressive initial burst, and this allows him to make plays in all phases of the game. There have been several occasions as a run defender where he has been able to shoot gaps and get into the backfield to blow plays up before they develop. He also has the speed to match backs on wide zone runs. To’oTo’o has also used this to his advantage as a blitzer. He has racked up a solid 35 pressures, including six sacks, on just 230 pass rushing snaps.
The other aspect of To’oTo’o’s game that jumps off the tape is his motor. He plays the game with consistently excellent effort and does not take plays off. This is evident in his work as a pursuit defender, where you will see him chase down ballcarriers from the backside and make the tackle. He has also played a role on special teams in all four of his seasons in college football and that will likely continue at the NFL level.
Weaknesses
The biggest concern with To’oTo’o is some of his athletic limitations. Whilst his straight line athleticism is excellent, he isn’t the most fluid player when asked to play in space. This shows up most noticeably in coverage. To’oTo’o is generally comfortable matching up against running backs, but he doesn’t look entirely comfortable when asked to flip his hips and carry routes vertically and he can also be a little clunky when making transitions.
These limitations also have an effect on his wider ability to be an impact player in coverage. Throughout his time in college To’oTo’o has been serviceable as a coverage linebacker, but little else. He hasn’t shown any real ball production to speak of and has allowed a somewhat concerning passer rating of 109.1 when targeted. This includes allowing five touchdowns throughout his four seasons.
Bottom Line
To’oTo’o possesses the processing skills and high motor that NFL teams look for in linebacker prospects, and his four years as a starter in the SEC is sure to carry some weight. His limitations both athletically and in coverage limit his ceiling, but he can still be a solid starter at the NFL level.
Ideal role: Weak side linebacker
Round projection: 3rd round
