Villanova linebacker Austin Calitro is the latest in TOJ’s UDFA profile series. Read our previous breakdowns on Xavier Coleman, Anthony Firkser, Gabe Marks and Brisly Estime…
Player Card
- Name: Austin Calitro
- School: Villanova
- Position: ILB
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 239 lbs
- Career Stats: 219 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed
Workout Results (Pro Day)
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.67 seconds
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.31 seconds
- 3 Cone Drill: 6.96 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 34 inches
- Broad Jump: 9’03
- Bench Press: 24 reps
Strengths: Calitro was a team captain as a senior and earned All-CAA honors. He’s at his best going forward, showing good instincts versus the run, an ability to work through traffic and sound tackling technique. He can deliver a hit and was a tone setter for Villanova’s defense. His game carries a hustle and intensity to it that you need to see from a player that tested average athletically and is making a significant competition jump. He was a real problem at the FCS level as a blitzer, shedding RBs with ease.
Weaknesses: In the favorable setting of a pro day he tested just average athletically. According to Lance Zierlein his hip tightness stands out in coverage which will limit his upside as a potential three down NFL player. He was a productive player at the FCS level but not a dominant one which you’d like to see about any potential NFL prospect coming from any level below the FBS.
Final Words: With the Jets having holes in a lot of areas, this is as good a roster for any UDFA to try and make an active roster as a rookie. For Calitro in particular the Jets lack a like-for-like backup to David Harris (and, thinking wishfully, a legit heir). As is often the case it’ll come down to an ability to contribute on special teams, but a niche two-down inside linebacker is one of those positions where instincts and aggression can make up for a lack of top-shelf athleticism.
