A little background on Veikune from ESPN's scouting report:
2004: Veikune enrolls at Colorado. 2005: Veikune transfers to Fresno City College. 2006: Veikune transfers to Hawaii. 2006-'07: Veikune starts one of the 27 games he appears in accumulating 44 tackles including 11.5 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks. 2008: Veikune starts all 14 games accumulating 73 tackles including 16.5 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks. He also breaks up three passes and forces four fumbles. Veikune earns first-team All-WAC selection in 2007 and second-team honors in 2008.
Simplified scouting report:
- 6'2 3/8", 257lbs.
- Aggressive
- Above average speed and quickness
- Flexible hips: has the potential to be able to cover as a LB
- Strong for his size
- Good burst to the QB
- Needs to improve against the run
I personally love this pick. Veikune is aggressive and tough, the kind of LB we need. I think he can help our pass rush, and it was good to finally see a defensive pick, as much as I like the "best player available" strategy. I do wonder about his mental capacity because I don't know much about his mental game. He was all academic WAC in 2006, 2007, and 2008. I'll take 28 TFL in 2 years, even against the WAC.