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Chidobe Awuzie, DB, Colorado: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Brady Lunt

Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 class of cornerbacks is arguably the deepest position in the draft and the best crop in recent memory. Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie has become one of the bigger highlights of the group…

The 2017 NFL Draft is filled with cornerbacks that possess size, unique athleticism, physicality, ball skills, and coverage-specific ability. A team in need of a cornerback should be able to find one capable of making an impact throughout the first few rounds. This puts added pressure on prospects entering the draft to find ways to set themselves apart from the rest of the class.

While it may seem difficult, Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie has managed to do build in areas that separates him from his colleagues.

Chidobe Awuzie (Ah-wooz-e-yeh)helped push a Colorado team to second place in the Pac-12 and a ticket to the Alamo Bowl. Despite a devastating loss, the Buffaloes proved they were one of the best in the nation. Awuzie was the teams top defender and helped elevate the program to a new level.

He finished the 2016 season with 65 tackles including six for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

Measurables

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 202 lbs

40-yard: 4.43

Broad: 132 inches

Strengths

Chidobe Awuzie is one of the most physical cornerbacks in this class. At 6’0″ and just over 200 pounds, he possesses the size to match up to most receivers. Add in his 4.43 time and you see one of the more impressive Nickel corners in the draft. Awuzie is the best blitzer in the class, showing a knack for getting after the quarterback as illustrated by his four sacks in 2016 (nine in his collegiate career). Has experience playing both inside and outside.

Showed good burst and willingness to make the hard hit. Demonstrates good instincts and seems to do a nice job staying with the cornerback while reading the play. He had one of his most productive games in a loss to Michigan, recording five tackles, one sack and an interception.

Weaknesses

The first thing that jumps out is his lack of production in the secondary. While he put together nine career sacks, he’s only managed three interceptions including one in 2016. He will have to prove to teams that this won’t be a reflection of his impact in the NFL. Needs to improve as a tackler, showing a propensity to go for the big hit. This style led to too many missed tackles.

Final Thoughts

Awuzie is one of the more intriguing cornerback prospects. His size and speed coupled with his aggressive nature and headhunter mentality create a lethal combination in the secondary. If he can improve his tackling and further develop his technique in man-coverage, Awuzie could be one of the most successful defensive backs in this class.

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