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Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun (29) breaks up a pass to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (82) in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun (29) breaks up a pass to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (82) in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun (29) breaks up a pass to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (82) in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun (29) breaks up a pass to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (82) in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Player Summary

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, a 2012 two-star recruit from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, started 21 of 39 career games at Minnesota. Primarily the field cornerback in base defense, he shifts to the nickel position in sub packages. Missed final 11 games of 2013 season after tearing ACL in left knee and sat out two games in 2015 after injuring his right knee.

He finished his career with 113 tackles, 10 interceptions (two returned for a touchdown), 15 pass breakups and 26 passes defended. Led team in interceptions and passes defended in both 2014 and 2015. Adequate height/weight with a lean frame and good athletic ability.

Player Information

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 5’9″ 1/2

Weight: 189 lbs.

Arm Length: 31.25 inches

Hand Size: 9 inches

Estimated 40 Time: low 4.5s

Games Watched

2015: Michigan, Ohio State, TCU, Shrine Game

2014: Ohio State

Strengths

Good instincts from off coverage, diagnoses the play and reacts quickly. Settles into a good lateral position in man coverage and mirrors route from a semi-trail position. Very good angular body position allows for an explosive plant and drive back to the ball.

Here’s a look at his ability to mirror and come back to the ball from this year’s East-West Shrine Game. Matched up against Ole Miss wide receiver Cody Core, Boddy-Calhoun stays with him stride for stride. His route-recognition skills and quick feet allow him to stop on a dime, while his awareness to look at the receiver’s eyes lets him know the ball is on the way. From there, he takes an aggressive angle and utilizes very good closing speed and play strength to make a play on the ball and strip it from Core.

Once the ball is in the air, he’s one of the most dangerous defensive backs in the country because of his elite ball skills. Take a look at this play against Ohio State from 2014. He’s reading quarterback J.T. Barrett the entire way and begins tracking the ball as soon as it leaves his hand. Boddy-Calhoun shows good range on this play and ends up running a better route than the receiver. To finish the play, he makes the interception and quickly turns upfield for the return.

Against the run, does a good job constricting running lanes by tracking the ball carrier’s hips and forcing back inside. Shows solid competitive toughness by taking on larger backs and going for the strip when given the opportunity.

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Weaknesses

Marginal line of scrimmage skills from press coverage as a result of an inability to jam receivers allows the offense to maintain the timing of the route. From off coverage, gives too much of an initial cushion, allowing for easy completions underneath.

That’s what happens on this play in the 2015 season opener against TCU. Lining up across from WR Josh Doctson, Boddy-Calhoun gives an eight-yard cushion. He maintains that cushion during his backpedal before driving to the ball once it’s in the air. Boddy-Calhoun ends up being late to the point of attack. The cushion, as well as a slightly rounded angle to the ball, allows Doctson to make the catch and turn upfield for a touchdown.

Taking poor angles to the ball shows up in the run game as well. Has a tendency to be too aggressive and overrun the play. Marginal ability to finish in run support as he’s not an efficient tackler. Medical exams may drop him on draft boards as previous knee injuries could scare teams away.

Overall

Overall, Briean Boddy-Calhoun is a starting nickelback in sub packages who can develop into a starter on the outside with some fine tuning. From a pros/cons standpoint, there’s a lot of similarity between Boddy-Calhoun and Jason Verrett of the San Diego Chargers. Both are undersized corners who explode out of their plant and drives, possess very good vision and ball skills and who entered the draft with durability concerns. Boddy-Calhoun isn’t quite the athlete Verrett is, which is why he won’t be a first-round pick. He could however sneak his way into day two of the draft with a stellar showing at the Combine.

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