2015 NFL Draft: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Showing Out as Versatile Prospect

Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) dives for an interception against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

When Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu decided to return to college for another season, many pundits including myself questioned whether or not it was the right decision. This is a player who was probably locked in as a top 25 draft selection, and may have even been a perfect first round fit for his former college coach now in the NFL with Chip Kelly and the Eagles.

All that aside, Ekpre-Olomu decided to go back to school so we have the privilege of watching him play on Saturdays for another year, and what a privilege it is. In Oregon’s big win over Michigan State, Ekpre-Olomu was all over the field making plays and showing his versatility as an NFL prospect.

He’s not putting up huge numbers in the box score, but Ekpre-Olomu made his presence felt with a handful of plays where he was locked into his coverage, doing a great job of turning his hips and running with some of Michigan State’s top receiving options throughout the game. He also showed an ability to return punts, something that we haven’t seen since his freshman year in 2011.

One area that really impressed me about Ekpre-Olomu’s game against Michigan State was his ability to close on ball carriers and his explosiveness upfield. That was evident also on the punt returns, but there were a couple of running plays where Ekpre-Olomu burst upfield and showed phenomenal instincts and actually finished the play. As a 5’10” 195 pound cornerback, it’s important that Olomu doesn’t allow his size to be a deficiency in his game and that was certainly not the case in this particular game.

He plays a lot like a long cornerback prospect, doing a really good job running with receivers and he made probably the best interception we’ll see all season long. On a tipped pass, Ekpre-Olomu located the ball in the air and somehow got enough momentum to be able to change directions, leap at the ball, and make an incredible diving catch maintaining control of the football.

Overall, the Michigan State tape is one that I think talent evaluators are going to point to a lot in his evaluation as a prospect. He was moving all over the place as a returner, on the left side of the formation as well as on the right side. He also lined up over the slot and played press, zone, etc. He really can do it all and despite the fact that so many NFL teams are preferring the bigger, longer corner prospects these days, Ekpre-Olomu has and really always has looked like a future first round pick who is growing into his craft as a player and should enter the NFL ready to contribute day one.

Here is the video cutup of Ekpre-Olomu from the great folks at Draft Breakdown.