Chiefs sign Husker LB Octavien

[NIUhuskies]

Former Husker linebacker Steve Octavien didn't get drafted but said "it's a done deal" and he will be signing a two-year deal with Kansas City either tonight or tomorrow.

http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics26/200/DH/DHUOAUCAXQFGPLQ.20060413175234.JPG


Strengths:
Superb athleticism...Very good timed speed...Explosive with a burst...Good tackler and shows some power...Has sideline-to-sideline range...Good pass rusher/blitzer and makes a lot if impact plays behind the line...Has fluid hips and does a nice job in coverage...Real intense with a fantastic motor...Versatile..Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Health and durability are major concerns....Does not have great size or bulk...Has some trouble taking on and shedding blockers...A little inconsistent...Questionable instincts and awareness...Lacks top ball skills..Does not have a ton of experience

Notes:
His sister, Dayana, was a three-time track All-American in the discus and hammer throw at South Florida and competed in the '04 U.S. Olympic Trials...Was originally slated to attend the U of Illinois out of high school but wound up at William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College, where he went on to become one of the top JUCO recruits in the country as well as a track standout in the 400-meter relay and discus...Dealt with an assortment injuries in 2004, 2005 and 2006 but was finally able to show just how good he can be when healthy as a senior...Could be a pleasant surprise for someone and a steal if he can just manage to steer clear of the trainer's room


Found this on Chiefs coalition, now sure what their source was...
http://www.chiefscoalition.com/Forums/index.php?showtopic=78680

[BigChiefFan]

Kick ass. I picked him for the Rams late in our planet mock. He's a long shot, but he's got a shot, none-the-less.

[Mecca]

He can probably make our team, we have little depth he's talented just injury prone.

[The Franchise]

And it starts......let's get some more talent!

[Hammock Parties]

News travels fast.

[kcfan82]

Sometimes he's looked great other times he dissapeared.. He's probably a better MLB than a WLB like Nebraska played him. He also got injured alot, but when his game was on he would lay the hammer on some RB's.

[Mecca]

News travels fast.

Don't look at me...

I still was almost certain this team would sign Highsmith they've been in on so many LSU guys.

[kcfan82]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHj5bDf1jcI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwEw-qv6a4I

[Ultra Peanut]

Sweet, they're starting to trickle in.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Did he play last year? I don't remember him playing against MU.

[kcfan82]

Did he play last year? I don't remember him playing against MU.

Yes, but not much. Nebraska ran some sort of gimmick nickel defense to try to stop Missouri's spread.

Honors & Awards

Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches, 2007)
Nebraska Defensive Most Valuable Player (2007)
Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2005)

2007 (Senior)
Linebacker Steve Octavien capped his career with an impressive senior season, leading the Huskers in tackles in 2007. The solid senior season came after Octavien battled injuries that kept him on the sidelines for the majority of the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

A two-year letterman for the Huskers in 2006 and 2007, Octavien appeared in 22 games with 10 starts during his NU career. He totaled 128 tackles, including 80 solos, including 21 tackles for loss with three sacks. He also had 11 quarterback hurries and five pass breakups while causing one fumble in his Husker career.

The 6-0, 240-pound Octavien started eight of 12 games at WILL linebacker and racked up a team-high 92 tackles in 2007, including 56 solo stops in 2007. He paced NU defenders with 15 tackles for loss, totaling 52 yards and his nine quarterback hurries were also a team high. For his efforts, Octavien was named the Huskers’ 2007 Defensive MVP and also earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors.

Octavien had eight or more tackles in seven games during the 2007 season, including four double-figure tackle games. He also contributed two or more tackles for loss six times on the year. Octavien opened the year with a sack and a pair of tackles for loss against Nevada, and added two TFLs against both Wake Forest and USC.

He posted his first double-figure tackle game with 11 stops in a win over Iowa State. Against Texas A&M, Octavien had a career-high 13 stops, starting a five-game stretch to finish the year in which he totaled 53 tackles. He had 11 tackles against Kansas, and made nine tackles, including a career-high three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Kansas State. He finished his career with 12 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss at Colorado.

A sociology major, Octavien was one of 20 Huskers to graduate in December of 2007
2006 (Junior)
Octavien played in nine games and finished with 32 tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack. He also broke up two passes, added a quarterback hurry and a fumble caused in helping Nebraska rank in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense. After appearing in each of NU’s first three games, Octavien missed the next four contests while rehabbing his injured leg. He rebounded to play in six of the final seven games, and made only his second career start in the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma, when the Huskers opened in their goal-line defense.

Octavien recorded at least five tackles three times, including a season-high 10 stops, with two for loss, against Texas. His strong effort against the Longhorns also featured a forced fumble and pass breakup. He registered two tackles against Texas A&M, five against Colorado and three against the Sooners. He closed the year with three solo tackles and his first career sack in the Cotton Bowl against Auburn.