Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Height: 6′

Oct 20, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Darius Slay (9) during the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports

Weight: 192

Position Rank:

Drafted By: Detroit Lions (2nd round, 36th overall)

40 Yard Dash: 4.36

Bench Press: 14

Vertical Jump: 35.5

Broad Jump: 124

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.21

2012 Statistics

Career Highlights

Slay went to Itawamba Community College where he played football for 2 years. Slays Freshman year at ICC he had 41 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, .5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions in the only 5 games he played before being injured. He wasn’t as impressive as a Sophomore, he had 32 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. He also had 8 punt returns for 99 yards and 1 touchdown. After his Sophomore year he transferred to Mississippi State. In his first year at Mississippi State Slay played in all 13 games. He amassed 24 tackles, 1 for a loss, 1 interception which he returned 72 yards for a touchdown, 5 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble. As a Senior Slay started all 13 of the Bulldogs games. He racked up 40 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 5 interceptions, 1 of which was returned for a TD, and 11 passes defensed.

Career Stats (At Mississippi State)

Tackles     TFL     Sacks     Interceptions     PD     FF

64               2         0             6                          17      1

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Strengths: Has long arms to go along with his good size and straight line speed. Has good quickness in and out of his breaks and is very fluid in his movements. Good at recognizing what routes the WR is running and reacting. Has good hands. Is good at attacking the WR’s hands and arms causing a lot of drops. Is very good in the open field with the ball in his hands. Sets up blockers well and has good vision.

Weaknesses: Isn’t great in the run game. Likes to lower his head and go for the ball carriers legs, resulting in miss tackles. Doesn’t get off blocks well when attacking the line of scrimmage. Only has 1 year of starting experience against top competition.

Draft Projection: Late 1st – Mid 2nd. Strong combine boosted his stock.

Another big cornerback prospect who is coming onto the scene as a senior after playing the first two years of his career at a junior college. Spent the first season he had (2011) at MSU as a reserve and special teams player, but is coming into his own as a senior with four picks and a blocked kick already through the team’s first seven games (10-23-12). He is raw in his technique, but he shows natural ability making plays and has already scored a touchdown this year. He is a very green player, but some team should take a risk on him and I think he could develop into potentially a starting defensive back with really good size and ball skills.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)

Follow @bmeek23