Opposing Coaches Rave About Pitt DT Calijah Kancey

Opposing coaches discussed what made Pitt Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey so special.

PITTSBURGH -- Another mock draft is in and it features the Pitt Panthers' stud defensive tackle Calijah Kancey in the first round. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman released a new set of draft predictions and has Kancey going in the first round yet again. 

Feldman has the Pitt star headed for Detroit - a popular landing spot for Kancey in many of the mock drafts that have come out over the past couple of months - at pick No. 18. Feldman can also see the similarities between Kancey and former Panther great Aaron Donald. 

"The Lions could upgrade at tight end with Kincaid or at corner with Banks, but I don’t think they can pass on Kancey," Feldman wrote. "Lions general manager Brad Holmes spent almost two decades with the Rams and saw firsthand what a dominating presence Aaron Donald has been, and Kancey might be the closest thing to him to come along in a while. That’s not to say that Kancey is going to turn into a first-ballot Hall of Famer like Donald, but he does have some special traits."

He didn't stop at just listing some potential picks and why they'll go in those spots. Feldman pulled the curtain back with his mock draft and was able to get some insight from Kancey's opposing coaches about what makes him such a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line. 

“Kancey is so quick. His get-off is elite," One anonymous coach said. "I don’t really even know how to say it. It’s the way he contorts his body. He does such a good job of dipping under blocks. He’s slippery now. He’s a really intelligent football player. You can tell he does a good job of studying what you do.”

“They always have dudes there (at Pitt)," another added. "But this one is different. He’s physically dominant and just so disruptive. I wondered how fast he really was, but I’m not surprised that he ran in the 4.6s. He’s like a big running back with that burst and those movement skills.”

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