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Report: Colts Have Met with Ohio Pass Rusher Tarell Basham at NFL Combine

By Luke Schultheis

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio defensive end Tarell Basham speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio defensive end Tarell Basham speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to The Herald Bulletin’s George Bremer, the Indianapolis Colts have recently met with Ohio University pass rusher Tarell Basham this week at the NFL Combine:

Sep 10, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks punter Cole Moos (36) is tackled by Ohio Bobcats defensive lineman Tarell Basham (93) on a muffed punt in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Ohio won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks punter Cole Moos (36) is tackled by Ohio Bobcats defensive lineman Tarell Basham (93) on a muffed punt in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Ohio won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

The 6’4″, 249 pound pass rusher is coming off a standout senior season in which he recorded 50 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery in 14 games–earning the Mid-American Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Basham finishes his 4-year collegiate career with 153 tackles, 40.0 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, 5 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery, and 5 forced fumbles.

Here’s his NFL.com Draft Profile:

"SOURCES TELL US“He is similar to Carl Lawson but I think you can get him probably a couple of rounds later or maybe more. I think he can still get a lot better as a pass rusher.” — NFC area scout"

"BOTTOM LINEBasham has the strength and length to play as a 4-3 base end or as a 3-4 rush linebacker, but his pass rush approach will need to be sharpened as he lacks the flexibility to bend the edge and attack the pocket with athleticism alone. Basham may never produce a high sack total, but his alpha playing style will appeal to teams looking to groom a solid backup with starter’s potential."

Basham is currently projected to be an early round pass rush selection in this year’s NFL Draft–presumably somewhere between Rounds 2-3.

It goes without saying, but the Colts could clearly use help in the pass rushing department.

Specifically, the franchise’s all-time career sack leader Robert Mathis recently retired, while last season’s sack leader, Erik Walden, is set to become a free agent–with no young pass rushers pushing through the pipeline.

Next: Report: LSU Defensive Lineman Davon Godchaux Has Met with Colts at NFL Combine

This is from a unit that finished tied for 19th in sacks with just 33 sacks last season–although their actual pass pressure seemed much worse on a week-to-week basis.

Pass rushers are always held at a premium in today’s passing league, so the Colts could be prudent in scooping up a potential sleeper such as Basham in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.

Here are the following prospects who the Colts have reportedly met so far at the NFL Combine:

OLB Tarell Basham, Ohio

DL Davon Godchaux, LSU

ILB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

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