A.C. Hackett
Linebacker (Coverage)
Maryland Terrapins #17
6'1"
237 LBS
Born and bred in the Old Line State, A.C. Hackett continued the tradition of prospects staying local, verbally committing to the University of Maryland in his freshman year of high school. Despite the loyalty, Hackett wasn’t initially pegged as a starter, but following a breakout performance Week 2 of his sophomore year against NC State, where he posted 9 solo tackles and 2 interceptions, the Will LB spot was his. In his third and final year as a Terrapin, he posted a team-high 127 combined tackles and led the nation in pass-deflections from the LB position.
Strengths
Intellect: While A.C. is no slouch in the measurables department, it is his football IQ that makes him really stand out. Although he was an outside linebacker, he quarterbacked Maryland’s complex, zone-heavy defense, a task typically left to a MLB or S. By the end of his sophomore year, he was even helping to develop some of the concepts that would become a hallmark of the team’s defensive scheme. Hackett simply knows football. And he plays like it. Even when matched up against players more athletic than himself, he is able to make plays because of an uncanny understanding of route trees and angles.
Fluidity: Although the combine and his pro day left some question marks related to A.C.’s athleticism, one thing that is not in doubt is his fluidity. He posted a 6.47s 3-cone drill time, the best recorded for a linebacker in over five years. And that agility shows on film, as he is able to change directions on a dime when dropping into zone coverage. Hackett is able to flip his hips with ease and can generally just be described as smooth on the field. As a former All-Met basketball player, an honor predicated entirely on his defensive-ability, Hackett can move laterally faster than most men can sprint, a skill always useful when shifting covers in a zone defense.
Motor: A.C. Hackett doesn’t take plays off. Period. This mentality, which is what led to his getting on the field in the first place, led to one of the best defensive highlights of his junior season. In a Week 2 matchup against Indiana, a showboating Jordan Howard appeared to have a breakaway, eighty-five-yard rushing touchdown. But displaying an overwhelming amount of what scouts simply dub want to, A.C. chased Hicks down and ultimately forced a fumble, saving the score. No matter the situation, Hackett can be trusted to leave it all on the field.
Weaknesses
End-to-end speed: Despite the now famous chase-down strip tackle, the simple fact is that, in a straight line, A.C. Hackett simply isn’t very fast. He posted a disappointing 4.87 40-yard dash time at his pro-day and that lack of speed occasionally manifests on film. Despite possessing much better play speed than track speed, although he isn’t out of position often, he simply isn’t able to recover when he. And unfortunately for him, all the football IQ in the world won’t help you in a footrace to the end-zone.
Conditioning: Throughout his career at Maryland, Hackett was known for having a wildly fluctuating weight. Although he weighed in at 237 at the combine, his history indicates that the number may change over his NSFL career. Hackett typically “played himself into shape” meaning that he’d come into the season out of peak form. This lack of conditioning manifested itself in limited endurance at the collegiate level. Unless he improves in that aspect, his snaps will need to be managed if he is to play to peak form.
Final Notes
Not necessarily a strength or weakness, simply a trait, Hackett has an overwhelming personal swagger. He doesn’t think he’s the best linebacker in the draft, he knows it. And if you asked him, he’d probably say he could be the best safety, running back or quarterback in the draft too. He has, and plays with, an enormous chip on his shoulder, manufacturing slights to fuel an insane competitive drive. However, unlike most players in this mold, he was beloved by his teammates as a mentor and source of support, being named a captain freshman year, even before he gained a starting spot.
As a Maryland boy through-and-through, A.C. has his heart set on playing for his hometown Baltimore Hawks. Of course he'll suit up for whatever team drafts him, but he's made his preference known.
Linebacker (Coverage)
Maryland Terrapins #17
6'1"
237 LBS
Born and bred in the Old Line State, A.C. Hackett continued the tradition of prospects staying local, verbally committing to the University of Maryland in his freshman year of high school. Despite the loyalty, Hackett wasn’t initially pegged as a starter, but following a breakout performance Week 2 of his sophomore year against NC State, where he posted 9 solo tackles and 2 interceptions, the Will LB spot was his. In his third and final year as a Terrapin, he posted a team-high 127 combined tackles and led the nation in pass-deflections from the LB position.
Strengths
Intellect: While A.C. is no slouch in the measurables department, it is his football IQ that makes him really stand out. Although he was an outside linebacker, he quarterbacked Maryland’s complex, zone-heavy defense, a task typically left to a MLB or S. By the end of his sophomore year, he was even helping to develop some of the concepts that would become a hallmark of the team’s defensive scheme. Hackett simply knows football. And he plays like it. Even when matched up against players more athletic than himself, he is able to make plays because of an uncanny understanding of route trees and angles.
Fluidity: Although the combine and his pro day left some question marks related to A.C.’s athleticism, one thing that is not in doubt is his fluidity. He posted a 6.47s 3-cone drill time, the best recorded for a linebacker in over five years. And that agility shows on film, as he is able to change directions on a dime when dropping into zone coverage. Hackett is able to flip his hips with ease and can generally just be described as smooth on the field. As a former All-Met basketball player, an honor predicated entirely on his defensive-ability, Hackett can move laterally faster than most men can sprint, a skill always useful when shifting covers in a zone defense.
Motor: A.C. Hackett doesn’t take plays off. Period. This mentality, which is what led to his getting on the field in the first place, led to one of the best defensive highlights of his junior season. In a Week 2 matchup against Indiana, a showboating Jordan Howard appeared to have a breakaway, eighty-five-yard rushing touchdown. But displaying an overwhelming amount of what scouts simply dub want to, A.C. chased Hicks down and ultimately forced a fumble, saving the score. No matter the situation, Hackett can be trusted to leave it all on the field.
Weaknesses
End-to-end speed: Despite the now famous chase-down strip tackle, the simple fact is that, in a straight line, A.C. Hackett simply isn’t very fast. He posted a disappointing 4.87 40-yard dash time at his pro-day and that lack of speed occasionally manifests on film. Despite possessing much better play speed than track speed, although he isn’t out of position often, he simply isn’t able to recover when he. And unfortunately for him, all the football IQ in the world won’t help you in a footrace to the end-zone.
Conditioning: Throughout his career at Maryland, Hackett was known for having a wildly fluctuating weight. Although he weighed in at 237 at the combine, his history indicates that the number may change over his NSFL career. Hackett typically “played himself into shape” meaning that he’d come into the season out of peak form. This lack of conditioning manifested itself in limited endurance at the collegiate level. Unless he improves in that aspect, his snaps will need to be managed if he is to play to peak form.
Final Notes
Not necessarily a strength or weakness, simply a trait, Hackett has an overwhelming personal swagger. He doesn’t think he’s the best linebacker in the draft, he knows it. And if you asked him, he’d probably say he could be the best safety, running back or quarterback in the draft too. He has, and plays with, an enormous chip on his shoulder, manufacturing slights to fuel an insane competitive drive. However, unlike most players in this mold, he was beloved by his teammates as a mentor and source of support, being named a captain freshman year, even before he gained a starting spot.
As a Maryland boy through-and-through, A.C. has his heart set on playing for his hometown Baltimore Hawks. Of course he'll suit up for whatever team drafts him, but he's made his preference known.
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