Bralen Trice, Edge Washington: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Trice was a three-star recruit from Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix, Ariz. in the class of 2019

Washington pass rusher Bralen Trice is one of the top returning sack artists in a weak edge class. Trice’s acceleration and active hands contribute to a prospect that’s easily worth a top 40 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Bralen Trice, Edge Washington: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth-year redshirt junior outside linebacker from Phoenix, Ariz.

Background: Trice was a three-star recruit from Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix, Ariz. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 447 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 490 for On3.com. Trice was an unranked four-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. He tallied 16.5 sacks during his two varsity seasons at Sandra Day O'Connor High School. As a high school senior, Trice made 27 tackles and two sacks. He amassed 75 tackles and 14.5 sacks as a junior, including 15 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, five passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries in a game against Glendale Mountain Ridge.

Injuries & Off-Field: Didn’t see game action in 2019 or 2020, hand had a club on it versus UCLA (2022)

Awards: 2022 First Team All-Pac-12, 2022 Second Team All-American (The Sporting News), 2022 Valero Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP

Pros: Special teams experience on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, field goal, and field goal block units, rarely penalized, appears to have exceptional arm length, decent ankle flexibility, quick first step, acceleration, closing burst and linear speed, uses footwork to set up inside-out moves, two-handed swipe, swim move, attacks inside rush lanes, flashes of speed to power, chains a two-handed swipe into an inside swim, chains a two-handed swipe into a rip move, nice lateral hop to quickly move from the C gap to B gap, combines footwork and hand usage to find favorable angles, keeps hands active and probing for an advantage, spins back into the pocket when he gets too far upfield, dips his pad level on outside rushes to go under the tackle’s hands, motor runs hot, relentless pursuit of the quarterback, bullies tight ends in pass pro and the run game, plus contact balance to avoid ending up on the ground, crashes down the line on inside runs, speed to make plays as a backside run defender, stresses pulling guards with his speed and angles, high-effort pursuit player

Cons: Enters 2023 with only one season of 200+ defensive snaps, lacks elite bend, some hip tightness, speed to power is inconsistent, hands don’t consistently display pop, currently lacks hand counters to revive his rush, hand usage needs refinement, pad level allows linemen to slow him down with blows to upper body, too easily bumped off his rush arc, footwork is a little choppy, processing of the mesh point needs to speed up, doesn’t have an answer for double teams, too quick to cave inside against the run and surrender the edge, gap integrity and run defense instincts, technical stacking and shedding of blocks, questionable ability to hold the point of attack, sealed to open run lanes, slides off tackles, dives unnecessarily for tackles, lacks open field athleticism for coverage duties

Overview: Trice played more than 200 defensive snaps in a season for the first time in 2022, primarily lining up in a two-point stance for the Huskies. His lack of experience is apparent in his hand usage, which is very inconsistent when trying to stack and shed blocks. Trice is a hyperactive player who always keeps his hands active and probes for advantages, but it’s clear he’s not technically refined in this area. The fifth-year pass rusher appears to have exceptional arm length and decent ankle flexibility. His quick first step, acceleration, closing burst, and linear speed make him a weapon from wide alignments. He uses his footwork to set up inside-out moves. Trice has nice lateral hop to quickly move from the C gap to B gap and threaten inside rush lanes. His pass rush arsenal includes two-handed swipes, swims, and speed to power. He chains his two-handed swipe into inside swim or rip moves. Trice combines his footwork and hand usage to find favorable rush angles. He spins back into the pocket when he gets too far upfield. The Arizona native dips his pad level on outside rushes to go under the tackle’s hands but lacks the bend to truly turn the corner. He generates many of his sacks with effort and high-motor plays. Trice overwhelms tight ends in pass pro and the run game. He is bumped off his rush arc too easily but has enough contact balance to avoid ending up on the ground. Trice is eager to crash down the line on inside runs, but this sometimes leads to him surrendering the edge and allowing running backs to bounce the ball outside. He has the speed to make plays as a backside run defender and is a high-effort pursuit player. Trice lacks ideal bend and suffers from some hip tightness. His speed to power conversion is inconsistent, and his hands don’t consistently display pop. Trice’s pad level is too high and allows linemen to slow him down with blows to his upper body. The former three-star recruit’s processing of the mesh point needs to improve. His run defense instincts and ability to stack and shed blocks need work. Trice’s ability to hold the point of attack and avoid being sealed is questionable. He lacks open field athleticism for coverage duties. Trice has special teams experience on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, field goal, and field goal block units.

Overall, Trice isn’t a superb athlete or run defender, but his acceleration, long arms, active hands, and ability to convert speed to power suggest he has significant untapped potential. Trice’s physical and technical shortcomings prevent him from earning a first round grade, but he could easily compete for a top 50 selection.

Role & Scheme Fit: Stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme

Round Projection: Late First to Mid Second

Size: 6'4", 267 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 04-26-23