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Alameda Ta'amu finished his career at the University of Washington after the Huskies' loss to the Baylor Bears in the Alamo Bowl. The standout defensive tackle will now focus his energy towards raising his draft stock as high as possible leading into April.
SB Nation's Mocking The Draft currently has Ta'amu ranked as the No. 27 overall prospect and No. 3 defensive tackle prospect. Once considered a first round pick after an impressive 2010 campaign, Ta'amu's draft stock dropped after battling inconsistency and injuries in 2011.
His Alamo Bowl performance received overall negative views from draft experts,
Ralph Mancini from NFL Draft Bible's take:
330-pound Alameda Ta'amu did nothing to distinguish himself vs Baylor. Couldn't get off blocks and beaten at the POA. Draft stock down.
(Via: twitter.com/ReverendRalph)
Dion Caputi the National Football Post's take:
#Washington#NFLdraft prospects RB Chris Polk, WR Jermaine Kearse performed strongly; NT Alameda Ta'amu struggled with leverage & balance. (Via: twitter.com/nfldraftupdate)
Ta'amu is currently projected to be drafted within the first three rounds of April's draft.
A recent piece analyzing the Kansas City Chiefs' future mentioned Ta'amu as a possible nose tackle upgrade:
Plus, the defense could improve drastically with a strong nose tackle. If the Chiefs decide to draft a nose tackle, Washington's Alameda Ta'amu would be just fine - though that would mean dropping quarterback or offensive-line needs to the third round, a risky enterprise. (Via: Kansas City Star)
Ta'amu will get to showcase his skills in front NFL general managers and coaches in the Senior Bowl on January 28th. He'll be participating in the game with teammates Chris Polk and Senio Kelemete.
Follow NFL Draft coverage at Mocking The Draft and Washington football offseason news at UW Dawg Pound.