Nick McBeath | Holy Cross, LB – 2018 NFL Draft Breakdown

AS A SENIOR IN 2017:
• Started all 11 games at linebacker.
• Earned first team All-Patriot League honors.
• Led Team In Tackles.

AS A JUNIOR IN 2016:
• Started all 11 games at linebacker.
• Earned first team All-Patriot League honors.
• Received the Davitt Award as the team’s top defensive back.
• Totaled 106 tackles on the season, with eight tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
• Led the team in tackles eight times, while reaching double digits in tackles on six occasions.
• Led the Patriot League and ranked 21st in the nation in tackles, while standing 16th in the conference in tackles for loss.
• Made a season-high 14 tackles against Fordham.
• Recorded seven tackles with a sack and a pass breakup against Lehigh.
• Totaled eight solo tackles and a forced fumble against Bucknell.
• Posted 11 tackles and two tackles for loss against Dartmouth.
• Had 11 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss at New Hampshire.
• Made 11 tackles at Colgate, including one tackle for loss.
• Recorded 10 tackles against both Georgetown and Morgan State.

AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2015:
• Started the first six games of the season at linebacker, before missing the remainder of the season due to injury.
• Totaled 59 tackles on the season, with one quarterback sack and four tackles for loss.
• Led the team in tackles five times, while reaching double-digits in tackles three times.
• Made a season-high 18 tackles against Brown.
• Recorded six tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup in the victory over Albany, to earn GoHolyCross.com Crusader of the Week honors.
• Totaled 12 tackles against Colgate.
• Finished with 10 tackles and one tackle for loss at Towson.

AS A FRESHMAN IN 2014:
• Played in all 12 games at linebacker.
• Tied for third on the team with 43 total tackles, including one quarterback sack and 33 solo stops.
• Also recorded an interception, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
• Led the team with seven total tackles at Harvard.
• Had two solo tackles and a fumble recovery in the victory over Central Connecticut.
• Posted two tackles and an interception in the victory at Lafayette.
• Totaled two tackles, a sack and a pass breakup in the win over Lehigh.
• Tallied seven tackles against Fordham and six tackles at Albany.

HIGH SCHOOL:
• Played for head coach Chris Merritt at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Fla.
• Served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons.
• Named All-State and All-County.
• Totaled 78 tackles, seven quarterback sacks, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries as a senior.

PERSONAL:
• Son of Chris McBeath and Denise Roig.
• Has two brothers (Anthony and Stephen) and two sisters (Jasmine and Angelia).
• Majoring in Sociology.

McBeath is an athletically gifted linebacker who can move with ease sideline-to-sideline. Watching him play, you see a linebacker who anticipates the run extremely well and closes the edge. Shows the athleticism to play in space and adjusts well in covered to make a play on the football.

Quick and agile linebacker who can slip and get over the top of blockers, he can cover running backs and tight ends. He appears well versed in playing all three positions at the linebacker spot. No secret he lacks ideal NLF size and can get overwhelmed by larger blockers in open space, McBeath may fit best in a “40” front allowing him to roam freely. He could bring value to nickel packages and contribute heavily on special teams.

Overall a very physical hybrid-linebacker able to read react quickly and make plays. Takes pride in tackling and has enough quickness to reach the edge. His Pro Day numbers are going to play a role in the evaluation obviously, and if he provides some good numbers, he’ll definitely continue to receive attention from NFL Scouts looking for a scrappy, solid teams ace in the making. Productive and durable team captain.

Ten years ago it might have been hard to imagine McBeath with a real role in the NFL, but Arizona Cardinals Deone Bucannon and Los Angeles Rams Mark Barron have helped evolve smaller linebackers with a important element to NFL defensive schemes.