2016 NFL Draft: San Diego Chargers draft Jatavis Brown

Calling someone the best to ever play for a football program is normally quite a hot take, but when you sayJatavis Brownis the best player in Akron football history, a lot of people will agree with you.

With the 175th overall pick in the draft, the San Diego Chargers take Brown to wrap up the fifth round. This was only the fourth pick made by the Chargers, but have been heavy on defense with Joey Bosa as the third overall pick in the draft and his Ohio State teammate Joshua Perry (linebacker) in the fourth round. They also took Max Tuerk, a center from USC, in the second round.

For what he lacks in size, he can produce with speed and strength.Someone who can force 10 fumbles, make 193 solo tackles, make 16.5 sacks (including a record 11.5 as a senior), and make 40.5 tackles of loss in a season is normally a once in a lifetime player. With heat-seeking missile like speed and the ability to create punishing hits, a linebacker/safety hybrid may be his best bet at the next level. His weaknesses are as prominent as his strengths, though, so he isn't a sure thing to be a really good NFL player.

At Akron, most opposing offensive lineman aren't as big and strong as those in the NFL, they're also much better on their feet. Brown could evade blocks with relative ease because of this, so that will be a difficult transition for him. If he's going to be playing some safety, he'll need to develop some ball and coverage skills because in those aspects, he is still raw.

From 2005 to 2008, Akron had a player drafted in either the third or fourth round in each season. That group consists of Charlie Frye (QB), Domenik Hixon (WR), Andy Alleman (OG), and Reggie Corner (CB). Corner was the last Zip drafted, so Brown has broken a streak of seven consecutive drafts with no Akron players being selected.