Brian Poole, DB, Florida: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Brady Lunt
The Florida Gators have some intriguing talent appearing in the 2016 NFL Draft, headlined by cornerback Vernon Hargreaves and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. It may be hard to stick out in the secondary with Hargreaves garnering most of the attention, but it’s also hard not to notice Brian Poole. Even though he stands at 5’9”, Poole has demonstrated some intriguing abilities that may force teams to do their homework on him.
Measurables
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 210 lbs
Year: Senior
Strengths
Brian Poole is a smart and instinctive player, capable of diagnosing plays and positioning himself to make the most of his opportunities. Demonstrated versatility, lining up on the outside, in the slot, or even at safety. Shows good anticipation and reacts quickly as the play progresses. Aggressive defender who knows how to crowd receivers. Has nice ball skills, leading to his contributions at safety. Willing tackler. Showed he’s not afraid to take chances and undercut routes in order to make a play. Best position could be at safety, however may be slated to work in the slot.
The clip below are highlights from the first game of the season for Florida against New Mexico State. It was a very modest game for Brian Poole, from a production standpoint, notching only two tackles and one pass defended, but the film does a nice job showing the kind of player Brian Poole is. He does a tremendous job positioning and never seems to stop moving, however there are times where he waits for the play to come to him rather than attack.
Weaknesses
The first knock on Poole is his size. While he does his best to make up for his lack of height, he is often overpowered by bigger, stronger receivers. Lacks the speed to cover deep and the “hops” to contest for jump balls. Despite quick reaction and anticipation, too often waited for the play to come to him. While a thicker defensive back, finds himself lunging for tackles rather than facing the ball carrier.
Final Thoughts
Poole is certainly no pushover, with tremendous instincts and football intelligence, but his size and lack of explosive athleticism will bring obvious concerns as to his longevity in the NFL. He is almost certainly limited to be a slot corner, however some teams may view him as a potential safety. Will need to make an impression on special teams, however he is certainly a draftable player who can add depth to any secondary (best scheme fit would be zone coverages).
Round Projection: 6th-7th Round