Danny Shelton is a prospect that has been a focal point of everyone at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Many are intrigued by his size, specifically his lower body. Teams covet a guy with his size that can play a few positions on the defensive line. That versatility is what has caused some to compare him to Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.
Shelton didn’t disappoint those who watched him play. He was named as the most outstanding defensive lineman by Executive Director Phil Savage at the Senior Bowl awards banquet. He had a strategy for how he was going to approach the week long showcase in front of NFL teams. “I came in trying to get a feel for things, learn the new coaching style.” Shelton said.
The South Team had a bit more juice during practice and that originated with head coach Gus Bradley, a high energy coach in his own right. There was a noticeable difference in the tone from the North Team practices. They were a bit more regimented in their approach to practice. That wasn’t the case for Danny Shelton however.
Shelton was the guy that brought energy right from the moment that he walked out of the locker room. He was very vocal as he took the field at practices even though the other players were not. Being the source of energy for his team is nothing new to him.
He said that he made his mind up and he was going to be the energizer for his teammates before his final season at the University of Washington. “I committed to my team that I would be that guy that would bring energy to practice every day.” Shelton continued: “My mentality came because I realized it’s my last season and I had to become the guy to set the example for the younger guys with this new coaching staff. I wanted to make a commitment to them. I was already seen as one of the leaders so I had to step up.”
Energy is not the only thing that he brings to the table. Shelton mentions his body size and the ability to take up two to three blockers as his number one strength. It’s all about effort and energy. As Shelton said; “That’s what nose tackles do. I am constantly trying to get to the ball. I try to be a high motor guy.” He checked both of those boxes off during practices at Senior Bowl week.
The comparison to Haloti Ngata is one that Shelton really likes. His eyes lit up when we spoke about him at Media Night. Shelton is proud of his Polynesian decent. He wore the lava-lava (cultural garb) after the official weigh in and when he was at Media Night. As a young man of Samoan decent, he looked up to Ngata who is from Tonga.
“It’s awesome. I remember growing up wanting to be just like him, wanting to go to Oregon, wanting to match him. He’s a great ambassador for the Polynesian community.” Shelton said. “He’s a role model. I’ve always had this big body and I’ve always known that I need to know how to use this big body. Haloti, he’s been experienced at that and I am learning from him.”
Shelton said that he took the time to look at film and took some notes after his first practice. It’s easy to see that Shelton is a student of the game when watching him. During pre-practice, he worked on the “grab and shed” technique that he utilized as he exceled during individual periods later on. He was making calls on the defensive line during team period as well.
He says credits his mental capacity for being what allows him to be able to learn all of these positions on the defensive line. Shelton says that he’s always been able to jump from nose tackle to three tech or to five tech. He makes it his business to learn what different guys are doing at different positions, which is something that he admires about Ngata.
Shelton has clearly been a leader this week. However, his hunger and humility will allow him to mix in well with the team that drafts him. He plans to rely on the experience of the veteran players. The Baltimore Ravens spoke with Shelton at the Senior Bowl. Their locker room would be an ideal one for any rookie, especially one like Shelton that will seek out that veteran wisdom. “I want to learn from vets. I’d like to pick Haloti’s brain and learn how he’s communicating with the linebackers and knowing what the secondary is doing.” Shelton said.
The final piece to the puzzle for Shelton is the desire to compete. In high school he always played football because it was fun. He also threw the shot put and wrestled for one year to find other sports that he could compete in when the football season was over. His track and field career extended to college after he took first in the state in the shot put during his senior year of high school. For Shelton, keeping busy has a clear benefit. “I was always trying to experiment and trying to keep busy and stay away from distractions.”
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