Richard Sherman. Darrelle Revis. Desmond Trufant. Joe Haden. Josh Norman.
The NFL has it’s fair share of quality cornerbacks. With the profusion of stellar cornerback play comes several distinct styles of play. Some are big athletic corners with length (Sherman, Norman), some are small with excellent fluidity and footwork (Trufant, Harris) while others are versatile athletes who so happen to play cornerback (Peterson).
As the league continues to favor the passing game and shootouts, the value of cornerbacks will continue to rise. Cornerbacks out on the boundary are valued just as much as the corners who are busy covering the Julian Edelman’s and the Travis Benjamin’s of the NFL.
For the fans of the smallish corners with refined skill sets, you’ll appreciate the game of Tavon Young out of Temple. Temple University hasn’t been a constant producer of NFL talent but the 5’9 cornerback is a player to definitely keep your eye on.
What can he bring to the table for whatever team drafts him? Let’s take a look at his scouting report.
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Height: 5’9
Weight: 183 lbs
Strengths:
- More physical than his size will indicate
- Combine results: 4.46 40-yard dash, 34.5 inch vertical, broad jump of 10 ft 1 inch
- Solid instincts, able to read & anticipate particular routes
- Uncommon knack to time pass deflections accurately while avoid pass interference calls
- 21 career pass deflections, including seven this past 2015 season
- Solid & reliable in run support, willing to come up and make a tackle despite small stature
- According to Pro Football Focus, allowed a passer rating of 46.9 when targeted in 2014
- 153 interception return yards in 2014, led the American Athletic Conference
Weaknesses:
- Smallish frame that can use more bulk
- Showcases a tendency to get grabby at times
- Will be more reliable in the slot than the boundary, possibly limits his draft stock/value
- According to Pro Football Focus, allowed a passer rating of 80.8 when targeted in 2015
- Tends to gamble a little more than usual
Bottom line: The former Temple Owl has the talent that a number of teams covet. His size isn’t in his favor but you have to admire and appreciate his aggressiveness, tackling ability, and versatility. The problem that most teams will highlight is his size. Due to his size and his habit of being a grabby corner, Young may have better luck as a slot corner on sub-packages.
There is no doubt that Young can provide stable coverage in both man or zone. At the next level, in order for Young to be a boundary corner regularly, he will have add some bulk and tidy up his technique.
Young certainly has a future at the next level. Look for the former Temple corner to hear his name called in the mid-rounds of the draft.