CB in the 2008 Draft: the rest 3/4
12. Dwight Lowery, San Jose St., 5111, 201, 4.47, 16, 33.5 (CB/S)
One of the better cover corners in the nation who wisely decided to return to school for his senior season. An absolute ball hawk. Can track the ball and come out of nowhere to make the interception. Lowery has very good size with long arms and very good hands for interceptions. Lowery is very athletic, having a uncanny field awareness and has the ability to mirror a WR. Can take the best receiver and close him down. He is an intuitive player and may have the best skill sets of any defensive back in this year's draft class. Lowery takes good angles and has the smarts and instincts to play zone coverage, he does not buy on play fakes. Decent speed and good quickness. Good leaper. Hard worker with good intangibles.
The only concerns are his perceived lack of explosiveness and the level of competition. He has first round talent, but he did not show a real burst off the line. Doesn't stay straight in his backpedal and can lose a step in transition. Needs to work on his backpedal and is not fluid when he has to flip his hips. Does not have quick feet. Gets in press coverage at times and commits early which will leave him susceptible to skilled WRs moves. Peeks in the backfield at times. Needs some technique work. Lowery is average versus the run, needs to add strength and work on his tackling. Not an ideal fit for every team. Only two years of DI experience
Lowery became the first San Jose State player to be named to an All American Team, making the AP third team roster. He followed this season with another stellar campaign in 2007, capping off the season with another All WAC First Team selection and more impressive, another All American Team selection.
A nice player who can make it under the right circumstances..Prototypical zone corner back who is a play maker in the secondary.
13. Orlando Scandrick Boise St. 5100, 192, 4.32, NA, 38.5
Orlando Scandrick is another junior athlete hoping his eye-popping results at the Combine will translate into a big jump. An athletic cover corner with a history of blocking kicks, Scandrick is hoping to mimic the surprising jump up the board executed last year by former teammate Gerald Alexander. Alexander, rated by many as a late-round prospect, jumped all the way into the second round (Detroit, No. 69 overall) after strong workouts. Intriguing prospect who stepped onto the field and proved an immediate standout for the Broncos, starting all but one of his 39 career games. Scandrick is a good size corner with outstanding speed, quickness and natural athletic ability.Good use of hands and positioning to subtly re-route the receiver throughout the play. Hips are very fluid and he flips them well to turn and run with receivers. He played wide receiver all his life before coming to Boise State. He is most comfortable playing in man-to-man and press coverage. Scandrick one tough hombre in coverage and in run support. He is not afraid to mix it up. Better in run support as a senior, showing more willingness to come up and make the tackle than in the past. Developed into a formidable special teams star, blocking four kicks in 2007. Scandrick's a true competitor with a tremendous upside. Has a ton of experience, a three-year starter. Has been consistent for all three years.
Scandrick could use some more bulk and body maturation. Double moves and bigger receivers give him difficulty. Doesn't get a great jam at the line. Inconsistent and doesn't always play up to his physical tools. Just an average tackler and can be blocked. Clearly the most talented defensive back in a Boise State defensive backfield ravaged with injuries and inexperience, meaning he wasn't targeted often so did not pick off a lot of passes. Flashed the quickness and speed to be effective in coverage, but too often was beaten by lesser athletes. Questionable instincts and awareness.
He's has great straight-line speed and ball skills. Teams rarely threw his way last season. Scandrick said he patterns his game after no one but studies Broncos Champ Bailey and Falcons DeAngelo Hall. Has starting potential and just might be a steal.
Ran the second fastest forty time for a corner at the '08 Scouting Combine.
Pro day: Cornerback Orlando Scandrick skipped the 40-yard dash, choosing to stick with the 4.32-second time he turned in at the NFL Scouting Combine. Scandrick, who missed some events at the combine with cramps, participated in the rest of the workout Monday. He improved his vertical jump to 38.5 inches, he said. - Brian Murphy and Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman
Should have probably stayed in school for his SR year IMHO.
14. Terrence Wheatley, Colorado, 5095, 187, 4.39, 17, 36.5
Wheatley has excellent cover skills and a nose for the ball, and he can compensate for his lack of ideal size with his speed. Does an excellent job in man coverage evident by his 21 Passes Defended between 2006 and 2008. Yielded only 5 touchdown receptions the past two years facing one of the tougher schedules in college football. Is willing to play physical against bigger receivers. Very fast with good quickness and a burst to close. Playmaker with good hands and ball skills. Physical tackler in run support and always plays hard. A fantastic athlete with great agility: fluid hips and quick footwork. Smart with good instincts. Draws some comparisons to the Patriot's Ellis Hobbs. Good ball skills. Under the radar a bit. Has special teams potential.
Wheatley does not have the ideal size or bulk that you'd prefer and will needs to get stronger. Can be over-powered at times when playing press coverage and can easily be beat off the line. He'll struggle when matched up against big pro wideouts. However, if his size isn't a concern, then his myriad of injury problems throughout his college career, from the wrist problems that bothered him for a couple of years, to the broken foot this season, and groin and hamstring problems at other points as well. May not have a lot of upside
With a great showing at the combine: Wheatley ran a best of 4.37 in the 40, which tied him for fourth-best among the cornerbacks. He also had a 36.5 inch vertical jump (5th), a broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches (t-4th), a 3-cone drill time of 6.74 seconds (t-1st), and a 60-yard shuttle time of 11.58 seconds (5th). Showed up 17 pounds heavier than his listed weight at the Combine, and looked terrific. Will enjoy a nice career as a backup and special teamer.
15. Zackary Bowman, Nebraska, 6001, 197, 4.42, 33, 18 (CB/S)
The 6-0, 197-pound Bowman has good size and a solid frame with long arms (33"). Bowman has all the physical tools you look for, a very good athlete with excellent ball skills and pretty good hands. He also has great leaping ability, making him a prototypical corner back with the skills to play at the next level. Does a nice job against the run in that he is physical and aggressive at the line. Good special teamer.
Health and durability are major concerns. Does not have much experience so he is very raw and needs to refine his technique and footwork. Average awareness and instincts. Will he ever play like he did pre-injury?
Has some upside. Decent timed speed now but he was a 4.30-4.38 before the knee blew out. Coming off an injury, he has gone all season unheard of. He needs to open some eyes at Nebraska's pro day. Has been used at safety, but he is not big enough to do that at the next level, and lack of experience in man-to-man coverage as a CB will cause him to drop some. Boom or Bust type who just might be worth taking a flyer on. If he can get back to where he was a couple of years ago some team could get a 1st round talent late in the draft
Bowman tore his left ACL and missed what was supposed to be his senior year. He decided to stay in Lincoln to finish out his collegiate career instead of entering the 2007 draft and suffered more injury woes in spring practice in March, rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee. But, he made an excellent recovery from both injuries and returned to the field in Nebraska's second game of the season. In 11 games, he had 29 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups, despite starting only four games.
16. Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin 5104, 194, DNR
Ikegwuono is a big corner who rarely is beaten on a play. He is fast and athletic and is strong against the run while being very tight in coverage. Exceptional cover skills. Hits receiver hard and stays with him down field. Above average closing speed and hitting ability. Physical. Perfect frame for the position. Well coached.
Speed is good, but not elite. Wasn't tested much and didn't get a lot of chances to tackle, blitz, or wrap up. Strength is okay. Needed to be more consistent.
Jack Ikegwuonus' knee damage suffered in a training accident earlier this week is limited to his anterior cruciate ligament and, while still serious, may not force the Badgers standout to miss the entire 2008 NFL season. It's hard to imagine Ikegwuonu being drafted higher than the seventh round.
He was arrested for breaking into an apartment and stealing an Xbox.
One of the better cover corners in the nation who wisely decided to return to school for his senior season. An absolute ball hawk. Can track the ball and come out of nowhere to make the interception. Lowery has very good size with long arms and very good hands for interceptions. Lowery is very athletic, having a uncanny field awareness and has the ability to mirror a WR. Can take the best receiver and close him down. He is an intuitive player and may have the best skill sets of any defensive back in this year's draft class. Lowery takes good angles and has the smarts and instincts to play zone coverage, he does not buy on play fakes. Decent speed and good quickness. Good leaper. Hard worker with good intangibles.
The only concerns are his perceived lack of explosiveness and the level of competition. He has first round talent, but he did not show a real burst off the line. Doesn't stay straight in his backpedal and can lose a step in transition. Needs to work on his backpedal and is not fluid when he has to flip his hips. Does not have quick feet. Gets in press coverage at times and commits early which will leave him susceptible to skilled WRs moves. Peeks in the backfield at times. Needs some technique work. Lowery is average versus the run, needs to add strength and work on his tackling. Not an ideal fit for every team. Only two years of DI experience
Lowery became the first San Jose State player to be named to an All American Team, making the AP third team roster. He followed this season with another stellar campaign in 2007, capping off the season with another All WAC First Team selection and more impressive, another All American Team selection.
A nice player who can make it under the right circumstances..Prototypical zone corner back who is a play maker in the secondary.
13. Orlando Scandrick Boise St. 5100, 192, 4.32, NA, 38.5
Orlando Scandrick is another junior athlete hoping his eye-popping results at the Combine will translate into a big jump. An athletic cover corner with a history of blocking kicks, Scandrick is hoping to mimic the surprising jump up the board executed last year by former teammate Gerald Alexander. Alexander, rated by many as a late-round prospect, jumped all the way into the second round (Detroit, No. 69 overall) after strong workouts. Intriguing prospect who stepped onto the field and proved an immediate standout for the Broncos, starting all but one of his 39 career games. Scandrick is a good size corner with outstanding speed, quickness and natural athletic ability.Good use of hands and positioning to subtly re-route the receiver throughout the play. Hips are very fluid and he flips them well to turn and run with receivers. He played wide receiver all his life before coming to Boise State. He is most comfortable playing in man-to-man and press coverage. Scandrick one tough hombre in coverage and in run support. He is not afraid to mix it up. Better in run support as a senior, showing more willingness to come up and make the tackle than in the past. Developed into a formidable special teams star, blocking four kicks in 2007. Scandrick's a true competitor with a tremendous upside. Has a ton of experience, a three-year starter. Has been consistent for all three years.
Scandrick could use some more bulk and body maturation. Double moves and bigger receivers give him difficulty. Doesn't get a great jam at the line. Inconsistent and doesn't always play up to his physical tools. Just an average tackler and can be blocked. Clearly the most talented defensive back in a Boise State defensive backfield ravaged with injuries and inexperience, meaning he wasn't targeted often so did not pick off a lot of passes. Flashed the quickness and speed to be effective in coverage, but too often was beaten by lesser athletes. Questionable instincts and awareness.
He's has great straight-line speed and ball skills. Teams rarely threw his way last season. Scandrick said he patterns his game after no one but studies Broncos Champ Bailey and Falcons DeAngelo Hall. Has starting potential and just might be a steal.
Ran the second fastest forty time for a corner at the '08 Scouting Combine.
Pro day: Cornerback Orlando Scandrick skipped the 40-yard dash, choosing to stick with the 4.32-second time he turned in at the NFL Scouting Combine. Scandrick, who missed some events at the combine with cramps, participated in the rest of the workout Monday. He improved his vertical jump to 38.5 inches, he said. - Brian Murphy and Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman
Should have probably stayed in school for his SR year IMHO.
14. Terrence Wheatley, Colorado, 5095, 187, 4.39, 17, 36.5
Wheatley has excellent cover skills and a nose for the ball, and he can compensate for his lack of ideal size with his speed. Does an excellent job in man coverage evident by his 21 Passes Defended between 2006 and 2008. Yielded only 5 touchdown receptions the past two years facing one of the tougher schedules in college football. Is willing to play physical against bigger receivers. Very fast with good quickness and a burst to close. Playmaker with good hands and ball skills. Physical tackler in run support and always plays hard. A fantastic athlete with great agility: fluid hips and quick footwork. Smart with good instincts. Draws some comparisons to the Patriot's Ellis Hobbs. Good ball skills. Under the radar a bit. Has special teams potential.
Wheatley does not have the ideal size or bulk that you'd prefer and will needs to get stronger. Can be over-powered at times when playing press coverage and can easily be beat off the line. He'll struggle when matched up against big pro wideouts. However, if his size isn't a concern, then his myriad of injury problems throughout his college career, from the wrist problems that bothered him for a couple of years, to the broken foot this season, and groin and hamstring problems at other points as well. May not have a lot of upside
With a great showing at the combine: Wheatley ran a best of 4.37 in the 40, which tied him for fourth-best among the cornerbacks. He also had a 36.5 inch vertical jump (5th), a broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches (t-4th), a 3-cone drill time of 6.74 seconds (t-1st), and a 60-yard shuttle time of 11.58 seconds (5th). Showed up 17 pounds heavier than his listed weight at the Combine, and looked terrific. Will enjoy a nice career as a backup and special teamer.
15. Zackary Bowman, Nebraska, 6001, 197, 4.42, 33, 18 (CB/S)
The 6-0, 197-pound Bowman has good size and a solid frame with long arms (33"). Bowman has all the physical tools you look for, a very good athlete with excellent ball skills and pretty good hands. He also has great leaping ability, making him a prototypical corner back with the skills to play at the next level. Does a nice job against the run in that he is physical and aggressive at the line. Good special teamer.
Health and durability are major concerns. Does not have much experience so he is very raw and needs to refine his technique and footwork. Average awareness and instincts. Will he ever play like he did pre-injury?
Has some upside. Decent timed speed now but he was a 4.30-4.38 before the knee blew out. Coming off an injury, he has gone all season unheard of. He needs to open some eyes at Nebraska's pro day. Has been used at safety, but he is not big enough to do that at the next level, and lack of experience in man-to-man coverage as a CB will cause him to drop some. Boom or Bust type who just might be worth taking a flyer on. If he can get back to where he was a couple of years ago some team could get a 1st round talent late in the draft
Bowman tore his left ACL and missed what was supposed to be his senior year. He decided to stay in Lincoln to finish out his collegiate career instead of entering the 2007 draft and suffered more injury woes in spring practice in March, rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee. But, he made an excellent recovery from both injuries and returned to the field in Nebraska's second game of the season. In 11 games, he had 29 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups, despite starting only four games.
16. Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin 5104, 194, DNR
Ikegwuono is a big corner who rarely is beaten on a play. He is fast and athletic and is strong against the run while being very tight in coverage. Exceptional cover skills. Hits receiver hard and stays with him down field. Above average closing speed and hitting ability. Physical. Perfect frame for the position. Well coached.
Speed is good, but not elite. Wasn't tested much and didn't get a lot of chances to tackle, blitz, or wrap up. Strength is okay. Needed to be more consistent.
Jack Ikegwuonus' knee damage suffered in a training accident earlier this week is limited to his anterior cruciate ligament and, while still serious, may not force the Badgers standout to miss the entire 2008 NFL season. It's hard to imagine Ikegwuonu being drafted higher than the seventh round.
He was arrested for breaking into an apartment and stealing an Xbox.
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