Through The Scout’s Eye: Ben Banogu

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What stands out about Banogu that makes you feel like he can transition from defensive end to linebacker?


Lusby: “(He’s) just an athlete. I mean, you saw at the Senior Bowl, they dropped him a coverage at TCU — and if you know anything about TCU's defense it's very complex. He doesn't just have to go seek the quarterback, he's gotta read splits and the receivers, tackles, the backs — he's gotta do all of that stuff. You know he knows football, because you can't play in that defense if you don't, and then you saw it at the Senior Bowl.”


Did this position you guys project with Banogu exist much in this defense last year? He seems like he’s a different type of SAM linebacker.


Lusby: “It'll be a little bit different. You know, we did it with Darius (Leonard) last year; we put him outside and rushed him, so when you've got an athlete this big and fast that can rush you can do a lot of things with him. He’s versatile that way.”


That was the goal this year — to find defensive athletes, right?


Lusby: “Just athletes. Period. … And the coaches do a great job of putting them in positions to succeed — we're confident in that. So we give 'em athletes that are smart, tough and love football. It'll all work itself out.”


Chris Ballard is obviously a big fan of the Senior Bowl. How helpful is it when prospects like Banogu move positions and try different things at those practices?


Lusby: “It’s good because it’s an NFL coaching system so it's a lot different than what they've done at college. You actually get to see them how they'll be used in the NFL, how they go through meetings and all the practice. It's what we do, so it's a good indicator of what they'll do going forward.”


Did you think Banogu was more of a defensive end or linebacker heading into the Senior Bowl?


Lusby: “He played D-end. I thought he could do it (play linebacker) — that’s the projection — but once we got to the Senior Bowl it was cemented that he could.”