FFToolbox:

For two years Scott McKillop was the understudy to H.B. Blades at the middle linebacker spot. Once Blades was gone, McKillop emerged as an extremely tough and productive player. The Export, Pennsylvania native totaled an impressive 151 tackles in 2007. He also tallied 9.0 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, seven pass break ups and one interception. Even in his first year as a starter, McKillop emerged as the leader of a unit that ranked fifth in the nation in total defense.

McKillop is not the most physically imposing linebacker around, but he is a smart player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He is a blue collar type of player who will make up for any physical deficiencies with hard work and tenacity. That is not to say that McKillop is not a great athlete, but at 6-2 and 240 pounds, there are bigger and stronger middle linebackers.

So far in 2008, McKillop is continuing to be a tackling machine. However, the Pitt team started the season struggling and for a player whose measurables will not blow anybody away at the combine, his production and exposure on the field will go a long way in determining how high he can climb up draft boards.

10/26 Update: Pittsburgh has turned things around this season and after their disappointing loss to Bowling Green to start the season, the Panthers won five straight games. That winning streak ended with a loss to Rutgers, but Pitt is still a contender in the Big East and that is in no small part due to the production of McKillop. In just seven games, the senior linebacker has 67 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and four quarterback hurries. McKillop's reputation as a tackling machine will not end any time soon.

12/17 Update: McKillop finished his hardworking career at Pitt by being named as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. As a player who received one scholarship offer coming out of high school, McKillop embodies what college football is all about. His tenacity led to a 2008 regular season that ended with 126 tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and an interception. He could be a second round selection if he measures out well at the combine, but somebody will fall in love with his production and his attitude and the senior linebacker should not fall far into the second day of the draft.

3/24 Update: All the scouts know that McKillop has the instincts to play football, but just how fast (or slow) is he? He ended up running a decent 4.79 at the NFL Combine and, while that is not great, it could have been worse. The rest of his performance in Indianapolis was better and McKillop emerged as one of the best interior linebackers in this class. That will not be enough to hear his name called during the first day of the NFL Draft, but he should not have to wait long on day two.



NFL.com:

Overview

McKillop's top production was a credit to his instincts and efficiency getting through traffic and to the ballcarrier. The 2008 Big East Defensive Player of the Year and twice unanimous first-team All-Big East linebacker racked up 288 tackles, 27.5 for loss and seven sacks the past two seasons. He showed potential as a true freshman, stepping in for an injured H.B. Blades to make 13 tackles against West Virginia. Teams won't write "wow" on their notepad when seeing him at the Combine weigh-in, but they do when watching his college game film.

High School

Finished as the most productive defender in Kiski Area history with 332 career tackles...His 161 career solo stops was also a school record...The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAAA All-State Team (first team)...Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"...Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"...Harrisburg Patriot-News "Platinum 33"...Valley News All-Star...Totaled 132 tackles his senior season...at fullback rushed for 1,121 yards and 14 touchdowns over his final two seasons...Helped Kiski Area to three consecutive WPIAL Class AAAA playoff berths...A 21/2-year starter, McKillop started on both sides of the ball his junior and senior seasons (linebacker and running back)...rated the No. 20 overall prospect in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com...Rated the nation's No. 31 outside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com...Rated the No. 24 prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep...SuperPrep All-Northeast Team...PrepStar All-East Region...Selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic...Played under Coach Dave Grimm...Earned three letters in football, three in wrestling and two in track and field...Enjoyed an exceptional wrestling career...Finished his senior season as the state runner-up (215-pound division) with a 38-1 record...went 79-2 his last two years and had a career mark of 109-10...41-1 mark as a junior was the winningest season ever by a Kiski wrestler...Advanced to the WPIAL track and field championships in the shot and discus...Honor Roll...National Science Merit Award...Member of the Pride Club, German Club and Wrestling Club.

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Analysis
Analysis

Positives: Productive, instinctual player who sorts through the trash to get to the ballcarrier, seems to have an innate sense of how and when to slide through oncoming blockers. ... Very good backfield awareness, always seems to know where the ball is. ... Recognizes tight ends going out on delayed routes. ... Breaks down well in space and makes secure tackles in the open field. ... Can get to the outside to meet the back at the edge. ... Drops quickly and hustles to meet receivers in intermediate routes. ... Gets a good hit on slot receivers to knock them off their route. ... Knows where the sticks are and tries his best to keep underneath receivers from getting there.

Negatives: Only adequately developed in the upper and lower body. ... Does not have great speed to chase plays from behind, but generally makes up for it by taking good angles. ... Lacks physicality and runs around blocks instead of taking them on. ... Unable to get off blocks when engaged and is more of a catcher than a hard-hitter or fierce tackler. ... Is not explosive off the snap when blitzing.