Overview
Despite walking on to the William & Mary football team, Tracy earned his way onto the field early in his career. In fact, he started every game in his four years in Williamsburg, Va. - a Tribe school record.
Tracy racked up 42 tackles, 15.5 for loss and six sacks as a true freshman, then added 63 more stops, nine for loss and three sacks in 2007. He stepped up his game in his junior year, making 72 tackles, 15.5 for loss and 10 sacks to earn first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors. Tracy's 78 tackles - 50 solo, 22 for loss - and 12 sacks not only allowed coaches to vote him to the all-conference first team again, but also earned him multiple All-American honors.
During the week of the Texas vs. the Nation Challenge, Tracy displayed the toughness and movement in space needed to play linebacker at the next level. Although he doesn't have elite speed, his all-around game will make him a likely special teams player early in his career and possibly a strong contributor on defense as he learns the pro game.
Analysis
Read & React: Needs to improve his backfield awareness, will lose the ball and get taken away from the play by misdirection. Lacks elite reaction time, but will close on the ball quickly when he finds it.
Run defense: Held up well against strong-side tackles at defensive end, but found it hard to disengage. Does use his hands and upper-body strength well to get off tight end blocks on the edge and fight through trash to reach the ball. Willing to take on fullback blocks in the hole, stays low and delivers a blow but lowers his head and shoulder at times instead of keeping his head up. Needs to defeat cut blocks more regularly.
Pass defense: Fluid and quick dropping at the correct angle. Has the quickness to attack plays in his zone. Good chaser to the ball in space to help out teammates. Good length and vertical to affect passing lanes when coming off the edge. Inexperienced at recognizing routes.
Tackling: Strong arms to wrap up and drag down ballcarriers inside and on the edge. Secure, but not especially explosive, as a tackler. Will duck his head, though, instead of bringing his hips. Plays a bit stiff, and could be more consistent breaking down to adjust to elusive runners in space. Should contribute on special teams because of his hustle and length.
Pass Rush/Blitz: Uses his length, strength and hustle to get a pass rush, rather than elite speed and explosion off the edge. Able to bull rush lesser tackles. Sheds tight end blocks off the edge and can rip off in either direction. Could be more consistent running through running back blocks; tries to run around them rather than using his superior strength. Needs more pass rush moves.
Intangibles: Team captain, solid character. Intelligent player recruited by Ivy and Patriot League schools; on schedule to graduate with kinesiology degree