More information than you need about the 2012 NFL Draft: Cornerbacks’ Edition

(In case anyone needed proof that I ‘m a sports geek….here it is):

Numbers not marked with an (*) are non-NFL Combine numbers.  Statistics released by NFL.com have been given precedence in all matters, although there seem to be significant discrepancies still.  This is an attempt to sort out a few of the numbers.

Cornerbacks

NAME, School/University: Height & Weight – Arm, Hand Measure;

(Significant Notes).

Forty yard dash [Ten yard split], Three cone drill, Twenty yard shuttle, Sixty yard shuttle; Vertical jump, Broad jump; Bench press at 225 lbs.

TIER ONE

D’ANDRE (DRE) KIRKPATRICK, Alabama: 6’2 192 – 30.6″, 9.5″;

• (Parade All American, #1 Cornerback recruit, Marijuana charges)
• 4.51 [4.43*] [1.53*]…; 35″, 120″;

MORRIS [MO] CLAIBORNE, LSU: 6’0 (5’11.3*) 185 (190*) – 33.3″, 8.5″;

• (Thorpe Award, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, All American, All SEC, two year starter, 10.76 hundred meter race in 2009)
• 4.50 (4.44*) [1.60*], 7.01, 4.12, 11.44; 34.5″ (35″*), 118″ (117″*);

JANORIS JENKINS, North Alabama: 5’9 177 – 32″, 8.3″;

• (dismissed from Florida for misconduct)
• 4.46, 6.95, 4.13, 11.23; 33.5″, 121″;

JAYRON HOSLEY, Virginia Tech (Consumer Studies): 5’10 (5’11*) 192 – 30.9″, 8.9″;

• (fitted to zone scheme)
• 4.47 [4.38*]…; 34.5″*, 123″*; 11 reps

ALFONZO DENNARD, Nebraska (Sociology): 5’9 204 – 30″, 9.5″;

• 4.55 [4.51*] [1.52*]…; 37″, 121″;

Hopefully Janoris Jenkins has truly changed courses.  For the record, he states that if Urban Meyer was still at UF, he wouldn’t have been dismissed.  Hm…  As a player, I really like Kirkpatrick, Claiborne, and Jenkins.  This seems like a pretty strong year for cornerbacks and the league needs it, especially with the manner in which the rules continue to bend in favor of wide-outs progressively.

The one inch height discrepancy for Hosley’s height via NFL.com really bothers me.  I’m guessing I have localized OCD.

TIER TWO

STEPHON GILMORE, South Carolina (Sports and Entertainment Management): 6’1 (6’0.6*) 193 – 31″, 9.3″;

• (Parade All American)
• 4.40, 6.61, 3.94, 11.15; 36″, 123″; 15 reps

JAMELL FLEMING, Oklahoma: 5’10 192 – 31.3″, 9.5″;

• 4.53 [4.43*] [1.57*], 6.71, 3.97, 10.75; 34″, 125″; 23 reps

TRUMAINE (TRU) JOHNSON, Montana (Sociology): 6’2 205 – 33.3″, 9.4″;

• (2010 All American)
• 4.61, 7.20, 4.15, 11.68; 35.5″, 122″; 19 reps

TREVIN WADE, Arizona: 5’10 (5’10.4*) 182 (191*) – 30.8″, 8.6″;

• (related to MLBer Hubie Brooks)
• 4.59 [4.53*], 6.87, 4.00, 11.25; 34.5″, 116″; 18 reps

CHASE MINNIFIELD, Virginia: 6’0 (5.10.6*) 187 (180*) – 31.5″, 9″;

• (father, Frank Minnifield, was a Pro-Bowl cornerback for the Cleveland Browns, academic all-state in high school)
• 4.66*…; 32.5″*, 117″*; 7 reps (8 reps*)

OMAR BOLDEN, ASU (Justice Studies): 5’10 198 – 31.5″, 8.9″;

• (three year starter)
• [4.59]…;..; 24 reps

BRANDON BOYKIN, Georgia: 5’9 181 – 31.5″, 9.4″;

• (three year starter, only SEC player with three plays of 100 yards+, Paul Hornung award, UGa career kickoff returns leader)
• ….;…; [25 reps*]

CLIFF HARRIS, Oregon: 5’11 165 (172*) – 30.1″, 8.9″;

• (dismissed for violation of team rules, 2010 All American & All Pac-10 as KR, confirmed driving at excess speeds with a suspended license, Gil Brandt suspects he will go undrafted due to his workout coupled with the issues)
• 4.64 (4.65*), 6.79 (7.11*), 4.19 (4.30*), 11.90; 36″ (34″*), 118″; 14 reps (17*)

DE’QUAN MENZIE, Alabama: 5’10 (5’10.8*) 201 – 30″, 8.6″;

• 4.74 (4.62*) [4.59*], 6.93*..; 33″, 116″;

CASEY HAYWARD, Vanderbilt (Sociology): 5’11 185 –

• 4.57 [4.53*] [1.52*], 6.76, 3.90, 11.10; 34″, 119″; 19 reps

ROBERT (R.J.) BLANTON, Notre Dame (Finance): 6’0 (6’0.5*) 196 – 31.3″, 9.1″;

• 4.70 (4.78*), 6.71, 3.97, 11.28; 34″, 116″; 12 reps

MIKE HARRIS, FSU: 5’10 (5’10.4*) 181 – 32.3″, 9″;

• (JuCo spread option quarterback)
• 4.68 (4.54*), 6.81, 4.07, 11.28; 36″, 117″;

LEONARD JOHNSON, Iowa State: 5’10 193 – 28.8″, 8″;

• (four year starter)
• 4.71 (4.55*), 6.96 (7.01*), 4.15 (4.17*), 11.40; 32″ (35″*), 120″; 15 reps

Lauded for his performance against Biletnikoff winner and Top Tier pick, Justin Blackmon, I expect Johnson plays with enough technique to make it in the NFL as an eventual serviceable starter.  The size differentials are less of a concern for me given his experience and performance.

ASA (ACE) JACKSON, Cal Poly St – San Luis Obispo: 5’10 185 – 29.1″, 9″;

• (son of two Drs., Asa was on the honor roll seven times in high school)
• 4.49 (4.47*), 6.97, 4.03..; 34.5″ (37.5″*), 118; 19 reps

This tier is likely to cover the latter first to early third round.  As such, your team may be targeting an immediate contributor or a player in need of some polish.  Gilmore headlines this group, but there are quality options with Trumaine and Leonard Johnson and Casey Hayward.  Asa Jackson may surprise and some team will like Chase Minnifield’s size and pedigree.

TIER THREE

CHARLES BROWN, UNC (Communications): 5’9 (5’8.8*) 197 (209*) – 28.9″, 9″;

• (three year starter, agent-related benefit scandal resulted in suspension for season opener)
• 4.63 (4.50*) [4.49*], 6.94, 4.06, 11.56; 35.5″, 114″; 18 reps

JOSHUA NORMAN, Coastal Carolina: 6’0 194 – 32.8″, 9.3″;

• 4.66, 7.09, 4.23..; 33″, 124″; 14 reps

RYAN STEED, Furman: 5’10 192 – 32.6″, 9.1″;

• 4.68, 6.94, 4.22..; 34″, 121″; 12 reps

ANTONIO FENELUS, Wisconsin (Education – Family, Consumer and Community): 5’8 193 – 31.3″, 9.5″;

• (Academic All Big Ten)
• 4.68 (4.44*) [1.56*], 6.80 (6.70*), 4.20 (4.15*), 11.79; 32″ (36″*), 109″ (117″*); 20 reps

MICAH PELLERIN, Hampton (Finance): 6’0 187 – 31.8″, 9.6″;

• (three year starter, transfer from Southern Miss)
• 4.61…; 33″, 116″; 14 reps

JOSHUA (JOSH) ROBINSON, UCF (Criminal Justice): 5’10 193 (199*) – 31.3″, 9.3″;

• (three year starter, two time All C-USA)
• 4.33, 6.55, 3.97, 11.65; 38.5″, 133″; 17 reps

excellent combine measurables display speed across the board as well as (vertical and horizontal) explosiveness as an athlete

ANTHONY (D’ANTON) LYNN [II], PSU (Communication): 6’0 212 – 29.8″, 8.5″;

• (father won two SuperBowls with Denver)
• 4.77…; 31.5″, 111″; 17 reps

CORYELL JUDIE, Texas A&M (Agricultural Leadership & Development): 5’11 187 (196*) – 30.3″, 8.8″;

• (two year starter, JuCo All American in 2008)
• 4.48 (4.52*) [4.44*] [1.51*], 7.33 (7.12*), 4.25..; 37″, 126″ (123″*);

COREY WHITE, Samford (Mathematics): 5’11 203 – 31.6″, 9″;

• 4.55, 6.72, 4.22..; 37.5″, 126″; 15 reps

seriously, a cornerback who knows Maths

ROND’TRIQUE (RON) BROOKS, LSU: 6’0 (5’10.5*) 177 (190*) -30.6″, 9″;

• (never cracked into starting rotation [playing in the same secondary as Patrick Peterson, Mo Claiborne, and Tyronn Mathieu will do that] but served as a nickel corner, blitzer)
• 4.37 [4.35*], 7.23*, 4.56*..; 38″, 120″ (122″*); 12 reps

Remember, Priest Holmes was Rickey Williams’ backup at UT.  Brooks still managed to find a role in an excellent defense with other pro players.  Players like Ron Brooks and De’Quan Menzie may not come with first round grades, but they will find chances to compete.  Sometimes the lowered expectations benefit the player, so I’m watching to see where both land.

Plenty of teams can use a quality nickel corner with blitz abilities.

ANTWUAN REED, Pitt (Social Studies): 5’10 187 -30″, 9.4″;

• (rushed for over 4,000 yards in high school)
• 4.63..4.20..; 36.5″, 124″; 14 reps

COTY SENSABAUGH, Clemson (Communications): 5’11 188 – 31″, 9″;

• (graduate student, ACC Academic Honor Roll 2009, cousin of Cowboys’ safety Gerald Sensabaugh)
• 4.42, 6.60, 4.06..; 37″, 122″; 15 reps

Who gets a graduate degree in Communications?  Seriously.  I’m way biased to the Finance, Sociology, and Maths majors who managed to complete a degree whilst playing at a high level.

TERRENCE FREDERICK, Texas A&M (Leadership & Development):5’10 182 -31.1″, 9.1″;

• (good zone defender)
• 4.54 (4.48*) [1.57*], 6.59, 4.03, 11.13; 35″, 121″; 16 reps

SHAUN PRATER, Iowa (Psychology): 5’10 185 -30.8″, 8.5″;

• (prep honor roll)
• [4.48*]…;..; 14 reps

Iowa tends to churn out good NFL players.  Psychology is a pretty legit degree to boot.

CHAZ POWELL, PSU (Crime, Law and Justice): 5’11 206 -30.1″, 9.4″;

• (switched from wide-out in 2010)
• 4.53, 6.84, 4.16..; 33″, 121″; 17 reps

‘We are Penn State’ apparently dislikes the Oxford comma…

JEREMY C. (J.J.) JONES, Wayne State: 5’9 194 -30.5″, 8.6″;

• (AFCA All American, 291 career tackles)
• 4.56…;..; 20 reps

Again, there’s a lot of value to be added via this tier.  I like a Shaun Prater, or Fenelus to contribute and would keep an eye out for small school prospects like Micah Pellerin or Josh Norman (both 6’0) to add depth.  Josh Robinson’s measurables will likely translate to kick returns.

TIER FOUR

DE’ANDRE PRESLEY, Appalachian State (English): 5’10 177 – 30.3″, 8.6″;

• (quarterback, receiver, and defensive back; ‘caught’ a 33 yard touchdown pass from himself, rushed for 1,000 yards while passing for 2,000)
• 4.64 [4.51*], 7.19 [7.06*], 4.28 [4.37*]..; 32″ [32.5″*], 114″ [115″*]; 8 reps [7 reps*]

DWIGHT BENTLEY, UL-Lafayette: 5’9 (5’9.9*), 176 (183*) – 33.3″, 10.8″;

• 4.43 [4.37*] [1.56*], 6.99, 4.50, 12.11; 31.5″ (35.5″), 114″; 13 reps

My reading of his combine numbers is that Bentley has straight line speed, but slower shuttle times suggest his movements and balance aren’t smooth.  Perhaps he can make up for this with technique, aggressiveness, and long arms/big hands.  In this tier, teams are looking for special teams contributors who might add depth.

LIONEL SMITH, Texas A&M: 5’11.8* 192*

• 4.47*, 7.01*, 4.22*..; 38″*, 127″*; 16 reps*

TAVON WILSON, Illinois: 5’11* 205*

• 4.53*, 7.04*, 4.16*..; 32″*, 124″*; 17 reps*

JEREMY JOHNSON, Northwestern State: 6’0* 190*

• 4.54*, 7.02*, 4.32*..; 39.5″*, 128″*; 12 reps*

JORDAN MORRIS-BERNSTINE, Iowa: 5’10* 211* – 30.8″*;

• ….; [41″*], [127″*]; 18 reps*

TROY WOOLFOLK, Michigan: 5’11* 195*

• [4.56*]…; [31.5″*], [108″*]; 20 reps*

KEITH TANDY, West Virginia: 5’10.3* 197*

• 4.51*, 6.91*, 4.29*..; 35″*, 120″*; 16 reps*

C.C. WHITLOCK, South Carolina: 5’9.5* 181*

• 4.53*, 6.73*, 4.14*..; 38.5″*, 119″*; 9 reps*

So ends the first installment of ‘More information than you need about the 2012 NFL Draft’.  Cheers.