He's been called the best player in the draft, a player any team would be foolish to pass on.
He's a three-time all-conference selection, a two-time all-American and the 2008 Butkus Award winner for the nation's best linebacker.
But what makes Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry so good, and why should Seattle take him in the unlikely scenario he lasts until the fourth overall pick in the draft?
To continue...
Strengths
There isn't much Aaron Curry can't do.
He can move sideline to sideline tracking down ball carriers. He can drop into a backpedal and cover the tight end or a receiver coming over the middle (four interceptions in 2007). He can blitz the line and get to the quarterback.
Like most great linebacker prospects, Curry has terrific instincts and has shown the ability to read offenses very well. Once he makes the read, Curry explodes to the ball carrier and uses his long arms to make a sure tackle.
For all his skill, intelligence and aggression, Curry does it all at 6-foot-2, 254 pounds and running a 4.56 40-yard dash. Basically, you'd be hard-pressed to build a more perfect linebacker physically.
It's been a long while since a linebacker as talented as him has come along (maybe LaVar Arrington in 2000).
Weaknesses
Despite being effective in rushing the quarterback, he's rarely had the success that results in a sack. In four seasons, he finished his career with nine sacks, never more than three in a season.
Curry is also a bit stifff in the hips, which is to be expected at his size. The result is Curry will have to rely much more on his instincts and ability to read an offense to be effective in coverage in the NFL.
That's it.
How does he fit in Seattle?
Ah, there's the rub.
While Seattle just traded linebacker Julian Peterson, they did so because there was too much money invested in the position with Leroy Hill franchised and Lofa Tatupu signed long term.
At fourth overall, Curry would make more than either of them. Last year's fourth overall pick, Darren McFadden, signed a six-year $60 million deal. Tatupu is about to enter the second year of a six-year $42 million deal.
Still, as good as Hill and Tatupu are, there's a chance Curry earns that money and becomes Seattle's best player on defense. He'll almost certainly be better than Hill if not quite the pass rusher he is.
For more info on Curry with the 'Hawks, check here.
Draft position
Entering the NFL combine in February, Curry was a top 10 pick and said he wanted to perform well enough to cement a top five spot in the draft. He did just that, weighing in at more than 250 pounds and running the top 40-yard dash amongst linebackers.
That was enough to show NFL scouts that what they were seeing on film was not an illusion.
Now, there's a good chance Curry is selected by any team in the top four with it being highly unlikely he makes it past three to the Kansas City Chiefs, who should be desperate for a leader on defense.
Should he make it to four, will Seattle take him? Probably. He really is the best player in the draft. And GM Tim Ruskell knows that redundant players can be traded, but you can't re-draft your picks.
At the time of the draft, Curry won't be the most exciting pick for a team, but he should prove to make an entire fan base very happy for many years to come.
Of course, who knows? He'll have to be much better than Arrington was if he wants to live up to the same level of hype. Safest doesn't always mean best when it comes to the draft. After all, no one's laughing at the Texans for taking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush anymore, are they?
Here's a whole lot of highlights, six minutes worth:
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
