Elite pass rushers like Demarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora played at Troy before beginning their NFL careers. Javon Solomon hopes to be the next Trojan who thrives at the next level.
He certainly has the resume to indicate he could. He not only led the nation in sacks this past season, he made disruptive plays in high-pressure situations. His sacks against App State in the Sun Belt Championship and against Kansas State earlier in the season stand out.
When Solomon arrived at the NFL Combine, he quickly went to Lucas Oil Stadium to see the venue for himself. After receiving little recruiting interest from Power Five schools which led to his journey at Troy, he wanted to enjoy the moment.
But he also was ready to showcase his talents. He believes he did that while playing for a Group of Five program.
“I think Troy was the perfect spot for me. Being in the Sun Belt, it’s great competition. I think it’s kind of underrated how much talent is truly in the Sun Belt now,” Solomon said at the NFL Combine. “There’s great O-linemen, there’s great quarterbacks. There’s just great talent in total.
“So that’s why going to the Senior Bowl was big for me to be able to do what I did over there, and to come here is big for me to be able to put something on.”
Where Did Javon Solomon Get Drafted?
Solomon was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 168th overall pick.
Solomon helped his draft stock at the Senior Bowl by competing against some of the top prospects in the country.
“Just getting that opportunity to go against really, really quality people was huge,” Solomon said. “I had the opportunity to go against some really good guys. I’m not going to say I was perfect, but I had my reps, they had theirs. It was something (scouts) just needed to see, you know? They needed to see more out of me. And I did my best to give them that.”
What Was Javon Solomon’s 40 Time?
Solomon ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.72 seconds, which was 17th among defensive ends there.
At 6-foot-1, 246 pounds, he tied for fifth in his position group in the vertical jump (37 inches) and the bench press (23 reps). He also tied for 14th with a broad jump of 9 feet, 11 inches.
“I’ve got to go out here and be able to show that I’m a football player at the end of the day,” Solomon said before participating in those events. “So when it comes to drills, just be able to move well is something that I have to be able to go out there and accomplish.”
Javon Solomon’s Stats And Highlights
Solomon was the FBS leader with 16 sacks and was ninth in the country with 18 tackles for loss in 2023. But he’s been one of the best defenders in the Sun Belt well before last season.
After redshirting in 2019, he made the all-conference honorable mention list back in 2020. He recorded 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks that year.
In 2021, Solomon led the Sun Belt and was eighth in the country with 0.92 sacks per game and was 12th in the nation with 1.42 tackles for loss per contest.
The next season, he was third-team all-conference after racking up 44 tackles, 7.5 for loss, as well as 4.5 sacks.
“I was able to just go there and focus on what I wanted to do to perfect my craft and be able to become who I am today,” Solomon said. “Being in Troy, it’s small, but you make so many relationships with different people. The town, the city, the people love you just because there’s nothing really else to do. I really appreciate them. And being at Troy, it’s a decision I don’t regret. And I made the most of my time there.”
Javon Solomon’s NFL Comparison And Draft Profile
My NFL comparison for Solomon is Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers. Mack was also from a Group of Five school having played at Buffalo, and Solomon is also a well-rounded EDGE player whose main emphasis is rushing the passer.
“I see pass rush as like a dance,” Solomon said. “It means a lot to me because I feel like there’s a big versatility to it.”
Solomon tied for sixth in Pro Football Focus’ grades of EDGE players last year. He was an exceptionally productive pass rusher while also ranking in the top 20 in PFF’s grades for run defense.
Solomon has active hands and has an expansive repertoire of pass rush moves. And while he does have good technique, he can also rely on his speed to get around the edge if needed as well.
His size will be a key concern for NFL teams. He could be pushed off the line at times in college, but he usually kept his pad level low and maintained good leverage, so it didn’t happen often.
Solomon played some linebacker earlier in his career and dropped into coverage when needed. He also played with his hand in the dirt often and would sometimes even line up at defensive tackle. This shows that if a team is worried about his size as a traditional defensive linemen, he can adjust to whatever role an NFL team asks him to fulfill.
And if he’s in the right situation, it’s possible Solomon becomes a vital pass rusher for a pro team.
“It’s a dream come true,” Solomon said of his NFL opportunity. “Truth be told, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
