Film Room: Tavion Gadson

Tavion Gadson emerged as a target of note for Kentucky football over the summer. Defensive backs coach Chris Collins took the lead for the defensive lineman out of Savannah (Ga.) Jenkins and kept the Cats within striking distance even after the three-star prospect committed to Florida State in August.

That paid off with a December flip to Kentucky.

The Wildcats have landed their first true defensive line commit in the class of 2023 when Tavion Gadson (6-5, 265) completed his flip from Florida State. Now it’s time to find out what position coach Anwar Stewart will be adding to his position room.

The line-of-scrimmage prospect who received official written offers from Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Tennessee has the potential to be a fit in multiple roles in Kentucky’s three-down front. There are some explosive plays on tape for the defensive player.

On the line, defenses in the SEC and high-major college football need big bodies that can eat up blocks and plug gaps to fit the run. However, athleticism is also very important. Kentucky’s latest commit’s best trait could be getting out of stance. There are numerous reps of Tavion Gadson showing some real explosion on the snap.

Whether in the run game or in pass rush, Gadson has the potential to develop into a havoc creator. That is mainly due to explosiveness. The defensive line prospect shows some real twitchiness on tape and that should help the Kentucky signee slip blocks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

Having playmaking potential is important, but not every rep can be a splash play. In Kentucky’s three-down scheme, the Wildcats often ask their defensive line players to hold their ground, play gap control, and then shed blocks when needed. Tavion Gadson looks like he could be a fit for the Wildcats playing that style.

At defensive tackle, Gadson again flashes some good get off delivering a violent strike to the right guard that creates instant separation as the lineman is able to create extension early in the rep. That allows Gadson to then recognize the play and get off the block to record a run stuff. Kentucky will ask the Georgia native to make plays just like this at the next level.

Want a motor? Tavion Gadson has a motor.

The defensive lineman shows great effort chasing down the runner over 30 yards past the line of scrimmage. On tape, this is a line of scrimmage player that plays with excellent effort.

Tavion Gadson has playmaking potential buoyed by effort

When projecting where Tavion Gadson could fit in Kentucky’s defense, it’s easy to see the three-star recruit playing field end on the three-down front. Gadson has the size, length, and power to hold up against tackles in the run game. However, he also flashes the explosiveness to shoot gaps and win in pass-rush situations similar to how Josh Paschal consistently made plays for this defense.

There will be technique work that needs improving and some mass could be needed, but there is a lot to like. Gadson has the potential to be a havoc creator, but his greatest attribute might just be his effort level. This is a player whose motor runs hot consistently and that allows him to make plays away from his starting point. That could give the prospect a very high floor in college.

Tavion Gadson appears to be a scheme fit with havoc potential. There is a lot to like.