'24 NFL Draft Profile - Texas' DT T'Vondre Sweat

Another bigtime product from the awesome 2023 season, Sweat seems one of a kind.

A lot like eating all your vegetables and saving the good stuff for last, I purposely went through the top of the DT class and saved my own pet cat until we got to the finish line so I had a proper idea of the comparison context necessary. With that declaration, here is my guy, T’Vondre Sweat of Texas:

No. 93 - T’Vondre Sweat - Age 22 - Senior - 6’4 1/2 - 366 - Texas - 5.27

Imagine how hard it is in the NFL to be a giant amongst giants. If you have ever been close to a NFL sideline, you know how big the linemen are. But, once in a while, we see a human created with uncommon size and athleticism who can demonstrate the game skills that can absolutely wreck a game at a high level. I think Sweat is and can be that guy.

Of course, it is not just me. He won the Outland Trophy which is given annually to the best interior lineman in the sport. Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, and Quinnen Williams also have their names on the trophy, so you know we are talking about a man who dominated at the college level.

He played 1,800 snaps at Texas over five seasons and won every award he could win in 2023, other than the Heisman which he tried to campaign for after he scored a touchdown in the Big 12 championship Game.

He is battle tested and has grown his game to a very high level. To write his report, I used Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Baylor. I admit some bias here, but I also think that I won’t need to twist many arms on this player.

He is an elite run defender who requires a double-team and you will see that even with that double team, big time offensive lines could not displace him. That is something that translates to the NFL level. He carries a lot of weight, but he also knows how to use his technique to post up and not be moved. It is impressive to behold.

He is 366, but it seems to be good weight. He moves very well for a man his size, so while I am aware of his “RAS Score”, I also believe that system does not weight for the nose tackle position and there is a blind spot in guys his size. That makes sense, because guys his size either don’t exist or have no athleticism whatsoever. I don’t believe Sweat is in either category.

The RAS Athletic system seems to have a blind spot for a 366 lb human.

Now, is he just a base down run stopper? No. He rushes the passer very well for a man his size. He had 31 pressures in 2023 and his hand usage and pass rush moves are actually evident on the tape that we provided. He knows what he is doing and appears well-coached in many respects.

He has a rip-under move. Really decent hands and his ability with his hands is remarkable. So strong and just pushes guys back up the field into the QB. When he gets rolling, it is a rolling boulder all the way to the QB. He is such a load to deal with.

Now, can you use him in high snap counts? Well, I would say his conditioning will always be under review, but keep his snaps to 40 or so a game like the Longhorns did and you should be fine.

Also can shed dudes pretty fast at the snap. Watching him just throw a blocker out of his path tells you that this guy could become a difference maker in a hurry. I am convinced I would bet on his future.

POSITIVES: This is an elite run defender who keeps linebackers clean at his very worst. At his best, he is a game-wrecker who can affect the passer and close down run plays in any direction with his movement skills paired with absurd size and strength. He has demonstrated good instincts and moments of brilliance often enough that he appears to be a dude. You cannot single-team him. Guys this big should not be so good at getting in the backfield.

CONCERNS: Obviously, he has to prove it at the next level, but there aren’t many. He will seldom find himself outmatched. His conditioning looks like a potential issue, but with a continued to commitment to stardom, I have few concerns. That said, he needs to make sure he is as good late in games when he tires. He is tremendous. I would probably get him down about 20 pounds to help with his gas tank.

OVERALL: If it sounds like I am all in, it is because I am. He is a player I have felt strongly about all year and I have seen nothing on the film or in the workout that tell me I have overestimated him. I know I am higher than most on him, but let’s check back in a few years and see who is correct. I have him on a FIRST ROUND GRADE which is extremely rare for a 1-technique in a passing league, but I am going for it.

4/22: He has shown up for the combine out of shape, been arrested for a DUI, and otherwise seems to have bombed the draft process. We have downgraded him to a SECOND ROUND GRADE and that might actually be too high for his draft day.

Evaluation Scores (1-10):

• Ability against run - 9

• Ability to key and diagnose - 8

• Pass Rush: Aggressiveness and Moves - 8

• Lateral Movement - 8

• Tackling - 9

• Pursuit and Motor - 8

• Disengage - shed blockers - 8

See all of our profiles by clicking on our Sturm 60 tab here.