Sheldon Rankins: Prospect Breakdown (with GIFs)

Sep 12, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; /Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) moves the ball against Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) during second half at Papa John
Sep 12, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; /Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) moves the ball against Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) during second half at Papa John
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Sheldon Rankins Film: Part 2

Oct 3, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) chases Syracuse Orange quarterback Terrel Hunt (10) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Louisville won the game 28-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) chases Syracuse Orange quarterback Terrel Hunt (10) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Louisville won the game 28-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

A key area you want your lineman to excel in is in their ability to beat double teams. Rankins can do that.

Stack and shed. Rankins tracks the ball carrier towards the sideline, disengages and gets the tackle for a loss.

Rankins’ best move might be his swim. He uses it consistently and effectively. In this clip, he gets by his matchup and forces a throwaway.

It’s too bad this play was a QB read-option. Rankins shows off his first step and overall explosiveness, shooting the gap and laying a hit on the RB.

Rankins uses a rip move to get by the offensive lineman, and the RB doesn’t give him any trouble. If not for a sneaky Dalvin Cook trip, he probably gets the sack here.

Nice rip move by Rankins to quickly get by his matchup, and then he lays a hit on the QB.

Next: Sheldon Rankins Film: Part 3

Schedule