T.J. McDonald Scouting Report, S, USC

This is our T.J. Mcdonald scouting report. We will continue to add to this from now until the 2012 N.F.L. draft. For all of our other scouting reports click here.

Measurables

6’3 205 pounds

sub 4.48 40 yard dash (estimation, can’t find a real time, will put that up when it becomes available after combine)

Stats

2010: 89 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack, 3 Tackles for loss, 4 passes broken up

2011 (through 10/20/2011)

31 tackles, 2 INT, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass broken up

Pros–Obviously a very gifted athlete…can play in-line or deep as a free safety…has a nose for the ball…solid form tackler, complete safety prospect who is a team captain this season as a junior..good straight-line speed…definitely one of the best safeties in his class…lays some big hits…has some return ability…decent blitzer…has the athletic ability to cover people man on man in the slot and the size to challenge tight ends…pretty good hands…

Cons–slight injury issues…slightly over-aggressive at times…but doesn’t have a lot of glaring weaknesses in his game…sometimes goes for bit hit and loses form, but often makes the sure tackle…quicker receives will be able to take advantage of him in space…

Player comparision: Dan Kadar of mockingthedraft compares him to Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers

Nick Castillo’s Pro’s and cons

Very athletic. Good in coverage. Very effective covering tight ends. Can cover WR as well. Good instincts. Always around the ball. Good run defender. Great pursuit. Can deliver the big hit. Nice size with room to grow more muscle at 6 ft 3, 205 lbs. Great work ethic who stepped up as a leader this year. Great bloodlines coming from former All Pro Tim McDonald.
Negatives:
Lack of big plays over the course of his college career. Only 5 interceptions to date.  Can be over aggressive and go for the big play.

All in all, one of the most pro-ready prospects this year. He will be a day 1 starter and become one of the best safeties in the league.

NFLmocks preseason Bio

Replacing Taylor Mays seemed to be nearly impossible. How do you replace such an intimidating presence in the Trojans secondary? Enter T.J. McDonald. McDonald stands at 6 ft 3, 205 pounds. He stepped in as a sophomore and did a fantastic job filling the void of Taylor Mays. McDonald is a heavy hitter himself. He accumulated 89 tackles, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions in 2010. He is a great run defender with good closing speed. He is not afraid to pop receivers. He has good instincts as he reacts well to screen passes. This off season, McDonald has worked on being a leader and toughening up is mind. The 20 year old junior has a lot of great football ahead of him. If he has a good year, he could be the first safety off the board in 2012.

Final Thoughts

What you love about McDonald is his ability as a dual threat at the safety position. He has enough size to cover Tight Ends effectively in the N.F.L. and also can really contribute down in the box as a safety. I think he also has plus instincts and is a leader of the Trojans defense. There’s a lot to like about McDonald, he is a complete safety, in a game that lacks a lot of complete safeties. He lays big hits and can be dependable in coverage. Not a lot of glaring weaknesses in his game. I’ve seen him on Forums compared to Taylor Mays, I think he’s less of an athlete than Mays, but a better football player.

Video

Vs Virginia 2010

2010 analysis