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2007 Rookie Profiles: Cornerbacks
Posted:
5/07
Courtesy of the
TFY Draft Preview
Full Name: Larry Anam School: Boston College Ht: 5-11.5 Wt: 193 40: 4.44 Year: 5Sr Bio: Became a full-time starter as a senior and posted 69/2/3. Started six games at safety as a junior and registered 36 tackles. Pos: Athletic prospect still developing as a football player. Effective facing the action, diagnoses plays and works to get involved. Displays a quick break to the play and a nice move defending the throw. Neg: Struggles with his back to the ball. Does not play to his 40 time. Ducks his head and misses tackles. Analysis: Offering outstanding size/speed numbers and good work habits, Anam possesses the physical skills for the next level.
Full Name: Anthony Arline School: Baylor Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 199 40: 4.48 Year: 5Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors the past two seasons. Senior numbers were 26/2/3 after 24/3/3 as a junior. Pos: Good-sized cornerback with potential in a zone system. Diagnoses the action, displays a solid head for the game and good hands for the pick. Reads opponent’s eyes, gets his head back around to locate the ball and uses his frame to box out receivers. Possesses a burst of closing speed. Wraps up tackling. Neg: Lacks top-end speed and the ability to stay with receivers downfield. Marginal skills in man coverage situations. Analysis: Possessing the size/speed numbers to play at the next level, Arline could develop into a nickel back if he continually improves his game.
Full Name: Travarous Bain School: Hampton Ht: 6-0 Wt: 182 40: 4.48 Year: 5Sr Bio: Former Miami-FL transfer who’s been an All-Conference selection the past two seasons, totaling 19/5/6 as a senior after 28/13/1 the prior year. Pos: Explosive cornerback with solid ball skills. Fluid transitioning to run with opponents, will mix it up throughout routes and plays faster than his 40 time. Quickly breaks to the throw and effectively snatches the ball in the air for the interception. Steady wrap-up tackler. Neg: Does not play with a physical nature. Gets lazy with his fundamentals. Easily blocked from the action. Analysis: A talented small-school defensive back, Bain is rarely tested by opposing quarterbacks. Must get stronger and become more aggressive, yet has the tools to see playing time as a rookie in the NFL.
Full Name: Alan Ball School: Illinois Ht: 6-1 Wt: 176 40: 4.48 Year: 4Sr Bio: Four-year starter who posted career totals of 62/1/11 last season after 55/1/5 as a junior. Pos: Tall, thin cover corner who plays heads-up football. Effective facing the action, works well with safeties and quickly breaks on the ball. Reads the action, displays a good degree of suddenness to his game and fast up the field defending the run. Gives effort in all aspects of the game. Neg: Not strong at the point, has tackles broken and loses out in battles. Struggles staying with receivers out from their breaks. Analysis: A developing corner who’s shown a lot of promise, Ball is a late-round selection who could be used as a nickel or dime back for a variety of defensive systems.
Full Name: Calvin Bannister School: Hampton Ht: 5-7 Wt: 180 40: 4.46 Year: 4Sr Bio: Four-year starter who posted 34/3/8 totals as a senior. Career-best numbers of 27/19/3 came during his sophomore campaign. Pos: Diminutive cornerback with solid ball skills. Quick pedaling in reverse, fluid transitioning to run with opponents and displays good sense of timing. Very aware, reads receivers’ eyes then quickly locates the pass in the air. Feisty and works to make positive plays. Solid special teams player who has blocked punts in the past. Neg: Undersized, loses out in battles or is beaten by large receivers. Has a long injury history that has kept him on the sidelines. Analysis: Though limited by size, Bannister is a terrific football player when on the field. Reminiscent of Indianapolis Colt cornerback Jason David, he has a real shot to make an NFL roster.
Full Name: Fred Bennett School: South Carolina Ht: 6-1 Wt: 196 40: 4.55 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after posting 37/2/11. Junior totals included 41/3/10. Pos: Athletic corner prospect with outstanding size/speed numbers. Fluid turning his hips off the line, easily runs downfield with opponents and displays an explosive burst to the ball. Gets vertical and contorts to defend the throw. Gives effort supporting the run. Neg: Shows minimal football instincts and is not decisive. Consistently face-guards opponents and is slow locating the ball. Does not play with top balance. Analysis: A gifted athlete who flashes ability, Bennett has yet to pull the pieces together or show much consistency on the field. Measurables alone make him a developmental prospect with a high upside.
Full Name: John Bowie School: Cincinnati Ht: 5-10.5 Wt: 187 40: 4.39 Year: 5Sr Bio: Posted 38/2/4 as a senior, when he became a full-time starter. Missed all but two games of his junior season with a shoulder injury. Sat on the sidelines for most of the ‘04 campaign after tearing a ligament in his right knee. Sprint champion in the Big East Conference. Pos: Athletic prospect with outstanding size/speed numbers. Easily runs anywhere on the field with opponents and quickly closes to the action. Plays to his timed speed. Neg: Prefers to side-shuffle and lacks overall defensive back fundamentals. Not a decisive player, and does a lot of face-guarding. Analysis: A project in the works, Bowie possesses rare speed and solid size. Had not played much football until this season, yet showed enough skill to be stashed on a practice squad.
Full Name: Tyron Brackenridge School: Washington State Ht: 5-11 Wt: 187 40: 4.73 Year: 5Sr Bio: Junior College transfer who totaled 50/3/7 as a senior, earning All-Conference recognition. Red-shirted as a junior in ‘05 after seeing limited playing time the prior year. Pos: Nice-sized cover corner who works hard in all aspects of the game. Physical, runs downfield with opponents and gets his head back around to make a play on the ball. Quickly breaks to the throw and has a burst of closing speed. Neg: A bit slow in his hips transitioning to run with receivers. Struggles in man situations against larger opponents. Does not possess long speed. Analysis: Showing signs of potential after significant playing action last year, Brackenridge offers potential backed off the line or in a zone system. A developmental prospect who could be destined for the practice squad.
Full Name: Courtney Brown School: Cal-Poly Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 196 40: 4.65 Year: 4Sr Bio: Former receiver who started in the defensive backfield the past three years. All-Conference selection as a senior after posting 51/1/7. Junior totals were 44/7/12. Pos: Nice-sized, instinctive cornerback with solid ball skills. Fluid transitioning to run with opponents, quickly reads the action and has a nice break to the ball. Displays good hands for the interception and has been a game changer in the past. Neg: Marginal playing speed and gets beaten deep. Better facing the action and struggles with his back to the ball. Analysis: Offering solid size, Brown could fit in as a dime back for a zone defense.
Full Name: Tarell Brown School: Texas Ht: 5-10.5 Wt: 190 40: 4.54 Year: 4Sr Bio: Senior totals included 53 tackles and eight pass defenses, despite struggling through most of the season with a foot injury. Posted 70/1/8 as a junior. Pos: Explosive cornerback with the ability to shut down opponents. Fluid transitioning off the line, runs downfield with opponents and plays faster than his 40 time. Works well with safeties, locates the pass and quickly breaks to the action. Displays good awareness in his overall game as well as top ball skills. Fights to get off blocks and make plays up the field. Neg: Very quick out of his backpedal and prefers to side shuffle down the field. Does not always play with his feet underneath him or with balance. Analysis: Steadily improving cornerback who is rarely challenged by opponents, Brown has shown tremendous skill the past three years. Off-the-field incidents and his foot injury from last year will push him out of the first round, yet offers starting potential.
Full Name: Michael Coe School: Alabama State Ht: 6-0.5 Wt: 190 40: 4.63 Year: 5Sr Bio: Former Arkansas transfer who moved into the starting lineup last season at Alabama State winning All-Conference honors. Finished the year with 42/2/14. Saw sporadic action early in his college career. Pos: Nice-sized cover corner with good ball skills. Jams opponents at the line of scrimmage, physical throughout the action and works to get off blocks to make plays. Displays good recognition, picks up coverage assignments and positions himself against opponents to defend the pass. Nice timing and good hands for the interception. Neg: Does not show great downfield speed or a second gear. Marginal closing burst. Analysis: Transferring from Arkansas in order to play under his father who is the head coach at Alabama State, Coe made big strides last season. A solid special-teams player, he offers possibilities as a nickel or dime back in either a zone system or in press coverage.
Full Name: Marquice Cole School: Northwestern Ht: 5-10.5 Wt: 185 40: 4.47 Year: 5Sr Bio: Full-time starter the past two seasons and an All-Conference selection as a junior. Senior totals included 44/2/4 after career-best totals of 46/5/10 the prior year. Pos: Athletic cornerback with solid size/speed numbers. Quick-footed moving in reverse, works well with safeties and displays good recognition on the field. Neg: Better athlete than football player. Tends to tackle a little high and is not very physical. Quick out of his backpedal. Does not consistently play to his timed speed. Analysis: Showing flashes of ability the past two seasons, Cole offers a lot of potential for the next level. Must fine-tune all aspects of his game and prove he is more than just a size/speed prospect.
Full Name: Duane Coleman School: Clemson Ht: 5-9.5 Wt: 199 40: 4.61 Year: 5Sr Bio: Former running back who moved to cornerback midway through his junior campaign and was awarded All-Conference mention last season after totaling 73/1/2. Led Clemson in rushing as a redshirt freshman with 615 yards. Pos: Well-built prospect who has displayed several dimensions to his game. Physical defensive back who gets off blocks and quickly closes to the play. Reads the action, is quick up the field and makes plays against the run. Neg: Not fluid pedaling in reverse. Average ball skills. Analysis: A heady ballplayer with above-average size, Coleman is a dime back at the next level who must produce on special teams, an area where he was effective in college.
Full Name: AJ Davis School: North Carolina State Ht: 5-10 Wt: 193 40: 4.51 Year: 5Sr Bio: Two-year starter who registered 24 tackles and broke up six passes as a senior after 53/2/9 the prior year. Pos: Nice-sized cornerback who played sporadically last season. Fluid transitioning off the line, quickly locates the ball in the air and shows a nice move defending the throw. Runs with opponents on the field, works well with safeties and shows the ability to stay with receivers out from their breaks. Shows a burst of closing speed and plays with a good degree of suddenness. Neg: Misjudges his pass defenses, loses assignments and does a lot of trailing or catching up with opponents. Not strong at the point and beaten out by large opponents. Analysis: Not meeting the high expectations placed upon him last season, Davis is a physically gifted defensive back yet to complete his game. Offers potential as a nickel or dime back, yet must quickly elevate his play.
Full Name: Jasper Faulk School: Southern Mississippi Ht: 5-10 Wt: 186 40: 4.48 Year: 5Sr Bio: Moved into the starting lineup as a senior and totaled 39/2/13. Junior totals included 40/2/6 when he started three games. Also used to return punts. Pos: Developmental cornerback with an improving game. Fluid pedaling in reverse, displays a sense of timing and positions himself to make plays. Stays with opponents anywhere on the field, reads receivers’ eyes and quickly breaks to the action. Neg: Struggled to see playing time prior to his senior year. Does not always win out in battles. Lacks top hands for the pick. Analysis: Possessing better-than-average size/speed numbers, Faulk made major progress as a senior and is growing into his position. Definite practice squad material who also offers special-teams potential.
Full Name: Daniel Francis School: LSU Ht: 5-11 Wt: 185 40: 4.46 Year: 4Sr Bio: Former reserve cornerback who started in nickel packages as a senior. Totaled 31 tackles last season, breaking up three passes after finishing with 21 tackles as a junior. Top special-teams player at LSU. Pos: Athletic prospect who’s been marginally productive on defense. Fluid turning to run with opponents off the line, quickly breaks to the action and remains disciplined with assignments. Works hard to make positive plays and stands out on coverage units. Neg: Struggles with his back to the ball, does not play to his 40 time and does more trailing receivers than actual covering. Analysis: A size/speed prospect, Francis never elevated his game at LSU, even when afforded the opportunity. Must earn his wage at the next level on special teams.
Full Name: Joey Garcia School: Nevada Ht: 5-11 Wt: 182 40: 4.57 Year: 5Sr Bio: Junior college transfer who posted 52/6/8 as a senior, on his way to winning All-Conference honors. Junior totals were 72/4/14. Pos: Competitive zone cornerback with good ball skills. Immediately diagnoses the action, quickly breaks to the play and positions himself to defend the pass. Reads receivers’ eyes, gets his head back around and finds the pass in the air. Has a nice move to the ball. Works hard defending the run or screen plays. Neg: Average athlete with marginal physical skills. Gets beaten by large receivers. Struggles in man coverage and gets turned. Analysis: A productive collegian, Garcia lacks the top size/speed numbers, yet has enough skill to make it as a dime back in a zone coverage scheme.
Full Name: Willie Gaston School: Houston Ht: 5-9.5 Wt: 194 40: 4.55 Year: 5Sr Bio: Full-time starter the past three seasons who registered 61/1/12 as a senior after 62/3/4 the prior year. Pos: Smallish cornerback best facing the action. Effective backed off the line of scrimmage, fluid turning his hips and runs well with opponents. Locates the ball and positions himself to defend the throw. Possesses a burst of closing speed and nicely times defenses. Neg: Very quick out of his backpedal. Occasionally loses opponents. Does not display great instincts. Analysis: Potentially a backup in a zone system, Gaston is a self-motivated prospect who will do well as a special-teams player.
Full Name: William Gay School: Louisville Ht: 5-10 Wt: 184 40: 4.67 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter who also played with the first team as a freshman. All-Conference selection last season after totaling 60/6/13. Pos: Tough, feisty cornerback with marginal speed. Displays good instincts, locates the pass in the air and has a decisive move defending the throw. Displays a sense of timing and shows a burst of closing speed. Gives effort defending the run and takes proper angles to the action. Neg: Lacks top-end speed and struggles staying downfield with opponents. Undersized, and is easily blocked from the action. Analysis: Taking his game to another level last year, Gay showed enough skill and ability to get consideration as a zone cornerback in dime situations.
Full Name: Corey Graham School: New Hampshire Ht: 6-0 Wt: 195 40: 4.48 Year: 4Sr Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-Conference honors throughout his career. Played in seven games last season before breaking his leg, posting 41/2/3 on defense while also averaging 9.3 yards on 11 punt returns with one score, and 32.3 yards on 10 kick returns with another touchdown. Career-best defensive numbers of 110/4/17 came as a freshman.
Pos: Competitive cornerback who displays top instincts. Possesses ball skills and solid playing speed. Physical, supports the run or defends screen throws. Instinctive and correctly diagnoses the action. Game-changing return specialist. Neg: Not smooth pedaling in reverse, loses a half-step transitioning to run with opponents, and gets beat deep on occasion. Analysis: Offering a good amount of upside, Graham has a real possibility to make it as an eighth defensive back/return specialist in the NFL.
Full Name: Leon Hall School: Michigan Ht: 5-11 Wt: 193 40: 4.45 Year: 4Sr Bio: Three-year starter awarded varying degrees of All-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign. Senior totals were 45/3/15 after 61/4/9 as a junior. Pos: Good-sized cornerback with outstanding ball skills. Fluid transitioning to run with opponents, stays with receivers out from breaks and quickly closes on the ball. Displays a sense of timing, reads opponents’ eyes and immediately locates the pass. Consistently positions himself to make a play on the ball. Instinctive, gets vertical to defend the throw and flies around the action. Neg: Does not show top-end speed or play to his forty time. Not a strong or sure-handed tackler. Analysis: Rarely tested by opposing quarterbacks, Hall has shut down opponents the past two years. Struggles against speedy receivers, as was the case against Ohio State this year yet has enough natural skills and cover abilities to quickly break into a starting line-up.
Full Name: Marcus Hamilton School: Virginia Ht: 5-11 Wt: 189 40: 4.58 Year: 5Sr | ||||||||||||||
