Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri
Size:
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 231 pounds
Arm Length: 31 3/8"
Hand Size: 8 7/8"
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-SEC (2023)
“Ty’Ron Hopper is an instinctive and rangy second-level defender who has the necessary athleticism to impact the game in both phases.”
Strengths:
Instincts
Range
Pass coverage
Concerns:
Take-on strength/block-shedding
Tackling
Film Analysis:
Missouri’s Ty’Ron Hopper has been one of the most productive linebackers in college football over the last few years. Hopper originally started his career at the University of Florida, where he excelled before transferring to Missouri for his final two years.
Hopper aligned as an off-ball backer in Missouri’s even front defense. He is primarily used as the weak-side backer to the field where he can utilize his speed and range. Hopper is an excellent athlete with very good quickness, speed, and change of direction. He has good length and height overall but could stand to get stronger in his lower half.
In the run game, Hopper displays very good eyes and instincts. He is quick to read and key run and has the speed and burst to beat blockers to the spot and make a play on the ball-carrier. Hopper is very much a run-and-chase linebacker who has excellent sideline-to-sideline speed rather than a downhill thumper. Hopper has just average take-on strength and struggles to shed blocks. He gets driven back when ensuing linemen reach the second level and connect with him. Hopper’s burst and closing speed allow him to make a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage and he can knife through the line of scrimmage with ease.
Hopper is a high-energy player who plays with an outstanding motor and never gives up on a play. Hopper’s athleticism really stands out in the pass game as well. He is a smooth and fluid mover when dropping into zone coverage and has the quickness to close on receivers entering his zone. He has an excellent feel in zone coverage and can play the football as well. In man coverage, Hopper displays the speed and quickness to stick with most tight ends and has the length to be competitive at the catch point.
Overall, Hopper is what you want in a linebacker in today’s NFL and can excel in both the run game and pass game.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Brentley Weissman
Exposures: Georgia (2022), Georgia (2023), Florida (2023)
