Jordan Hoiem is one of the fastest-rising recruits in the class of 2014. Out of Wailuku (Hawaii) Henry Perrine Baldwin High School, Hoiem managed to put together an impressive highlight film despite playing in only four games in 2012 due to injury. Hoiem is an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid type player, standing 6'4 and weighing in at 205 pounds. He is a consensus three-star recruit, though that could rise, and as of this writing, he holds offers from Oregon (to which he verbally committed on March 12), Hawaii, UNLV, Utah and Utah State.
Verbal commitments are non-binding and change frequently.
Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Hoiem played in only four of ten games in 2012 due to an injury, but he made the four count.
Hoiem shows well against the run, taking on blocks, controlling, shedding and finding the ball carrier. He has a good punch, but could be more effective if he played lower and used his legs to generate power when taking on blocks. Hoiem is a violent tackler and should create some fumbles on the college level. As with many elite pass rushers, teams elect to run away from Hoiem. When placed in the middle, Hoiem does a decent enough job of pursuing laterally.
As a pass rusher, Hoiem shows the ability to rush off the edge, bend and turn the corner. His final steps before hitting the QB are quick. Hoiem may have a bevy of pass-rushing moves, but his film shows him much more as a run defender.
Hoiem is shown a few times in zone coverage and has good reactions to the football.
Hoiem has the ability to be a multi-year starter at the BCS level, likely as a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, though, he first needs to add size to his frame, particularly in the lower body. Luckily for him, he has the frame to do so, and after a year of college development, perhaps while redshirting, Hoiem could really emerge.
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