6’3” – 200 lbs. – 4.43
Started two games at safety as a freshman, then all but one game of the next season before transitioning to cornerback and spending the past two years there. Tall, long-limbed cornerback with pretty good physical development; much bigger than the typical pro defensive back. Very competitive with good energy and the type of temperament teams look for in defenders. Versatile player who handled some different responsibilities which may be able to carry over to the pro level. During the games reviewed, did a lot of off-zone work from the slot as a junior and then was given more press-man looks on the outside as a senior. Length and physicality are conducive to playing bump-and-run, but can make a little bit too much contact, which might put him at risk of being flagged in the pro game. Capable of backpedaling, but doesn’t have especially quick feet or good balance; usually backpedaled from zones, shuffled from press looks. At his best when he’s able to keep the play in front of him, plant, and drive to limit yards after the catch or disrupt passes; however, will sometimes get too shallow in his zones and lose track of targets behind him. Worked in man coverage more frequently on the outside and was able to use his reflexes and pattern recognition to give pretty tight coverage. Able to flip his hips pretty smoothly. Didn’t really have to turn and run much during the games reviewed, so testing might be important in order to stick on the outside. Has a very physical on-field temperament and likes to come up and deliver hits or make tackles. Was able to function as something of an enforcer at times and can break up passes with well-timed hits. Length gives him a good tackling radius; will explode into contact and wrap up if given the chance, but was also able to make some shoestring tackles during the games reviewed. Attacks screens and has the aggressiveness and hand use to take on and shed blockers but had some trouble with his angles in the screen game during review. Was occasionally asked to rush of the edge, typically as more of a run blitz look. Size, length, and physicality might get him looks as a bump-and-run cornerback at the pro level; could also be considered as a safety given his size, tackling ability, instincts, and previous experience there. Projects as a potential starter at the pro level; incredible Combine performance in which he ranked among the top cornerbacks in the vertical leap (39.5”), three-cone drill (6.56 seconds), and short shuttle (3.89 seconds) could very well catapult him into the first round.
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