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Report: EKU’s Noah Spence Has Visit Scheduled with Colts

By Luke Schultheis

Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Dak Prescott of Mississippi State (15) avoids the pressure of defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Dak Prescott of Mississippi State (15) avoids the pressure of defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence has a visit scheduled with the Indianapolis Colts among other NFL teams:

The 6’2″, 251 pound pass rusher is regarded as one of the best pass rushers in this year’s draft class. He’s coming off an impressive junior season for the Colonels, recording 13.5 sacks, 63 tackles–including 22.5 tackles for loss.

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) in the second quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) in the second quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

However, there’s some “buyer beware” with Spence, as he transferred from Ohio State after his sophomore season because of two failed drug tests.

Having just been burned with another young pass rusher Jonathan Newsome–who was recently released, the Colts may not ultimately choose to go down that road again.

Still, while Spence could be considered “troubled”, there’s no doubt that he’s incredibly talented. He was a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2013 and this past season was an AP FCS All-American for the Colonels (via his NFL.com draft profile):

"NFL COMPARISONWhitney Mercilus"

"BOTTOM LINEHis issues are well-­documented, but his recovery and turnaround is what has NFL teams excited. Spence has been accountable for his actions and worked just as hard off the field as he has on the field to change his life and attack his problems. His inability to hold the point of attack combined with his ability to rush the passer make him a logical choice as a 3-­4 rush linebacker. The speed of the game make take a year or two to get used to, but Spence should become a starter early in his career."

The Colts could clearly jump start their pass rush, where the team struggled last season generating pressure off the edge. The team has two aging pass rushers Robert Mathis (35) and Trent Cole (33) and little else, so there’s no question the team could use an infusion of young talent at the position.

Currently, Spence is projected to be a first round pick, where exactly is anyone’s guess–as there’s always a chance his off-the-field concerns could cause him to slip into the early 2nd round.

For the Colts, he’s tempting at pick #18 overall given their dire need to upgrade the defense’s pass rush.

Update (5:16 PM EST): It looks like Spence indeed worked out with Colts defensive coordinator Ted Monachino today:

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