Allows his footwork to get a bit overextended when driving on the throw, but has the skill set to quickly clean himself up in that area with some NFL coaching. Is a fluid, flexible athlete who does a nice job when asked to turn and run, getting back up to top-end speed quickly and doesn't waste much motion at all out of any transition in coverage. Generates a good burst for himself out of his breaks and his initial first step allows him to put himself in position to make a lot of plays on the football. Lacks ideal top-end speed and looks more like a 4.5 guy on tape. However, plays faster than his timed speed would indicate because of his impressive change of directions skills.
Has improved as a tackler this season and seems to be more comfortable attacking the line of scrimmage, dropping his pad level and striking what he sees on contact. But overall he's a long-armed guy who does have the balance to break down, take good angles toward the football and wrap up consistently in space. Also, has improved his overall feel in zone coverage, feeling routes develop around him, getting earlier jumps on the football and giving himself more opportunities to make plays on the pass.
Showcases good but not great ball skills, gets his hands on his fair share of footballs, can contort his body and possesses good coordination when asked to make a play on the football. But isn't the most impressive of pluckers. Possesses solid but not overwhelming ball skills when asked to come down with the turnover.
Impression: His ability to cleanly open up his hips when getting after the football is as good as any safety in the class. Also has improved his instincts and physicality as a tackler this season and looks like a guy who can make a roster and fight for playing time down the line."
Man Coverage: Not asked to play a lot of man coverage, but owns the speed, change-of-direction agility and physicality to handle tight ends and running backs man-up and trail receivers over the middle. Backpedal is good for a safety, stays low and fluid, and will plant and drive to close. Needs more experience in man coverage.
Zone Coverage: Plays the part of a versatile cover-two safety well. Reacts quickly and lays big hits on receivers sitting down in front of him, rarely misses the tackle. Also comes across the field to lay a shoulder into unwitting ballcarrier. Makes quarterbacks pay for poor decisions with interceptions, but will allow some throws with pace to go through his hands. Can dislodge the ball from receivers' hands during or after the catch with his hands or a big hit.
Closing/Recovery: Has the requisite speed for the position, able to close on the ball quickly as a run defender and while the ball is in the air. Capable blitzer, works hard to get through blocks inside, even though he lacks the bulk or strength to overwhelm them. Recovers from false steps quickly. Occasionally overpursues plays because of his aggressive nature.
Run Support: Willing and able in run support. Flows through traffic to the ball inside. Flies up from the secondary when smelling the run, drops his hips and pops backs in the hole or slams into backs with his shoulder to halt them. When lined up on the hash, gets outside the play to force it back inside to the linebackers. Defeat cut blocks with quickness and hands. Relatively strong but has only adequate size, can be easily washed out of plays by linemen and fullbacks.
Tackling: Solid in the open field, capable of breaking down and getting square and low to form tackle. Bring his hips to wrap and deliver a strong blow when attacking run plays near the line. Has enough speed to get angles on ballcarriers heading to the sideline. Will be the second or third body into a pile to stop its forward progress. Gives great effort but lacks great bulk and strength; bigger backs can through his tackle attempts if they have a head of steam. Also needs stronger hands to get off receiver blocks downfield more consistently. Long-time special teams contributor, can work inside and outside on coverage units and is on the hands team.
Intangibles: Took over as the secondary's leader during spring 2010 practices. Coaches have nothing but good words to say about him, as he works hard in the class room and puts in time studying the playbook and his opponent. First name pronounced JAY-kwahn. Won the team's 2009 J. Myron Honigman Award for Spirit, Dedication & Loyalty."
Positive: Fierce, aggressive safety with a solid game. Physical against the run, very quick up the field, and willingly throws his pads into ball carriers. Forceful hitter yet remains disciplined throughout the action. Diagnoses plays, shows range outside the numbers, and quickly gets to the flanks helping cornerbacks. Takes terrific angles to the action, plays with explosiveness and suddenness. Has good hands.
Negative: Lacks classic safety size. Struggles in man coverage situations. Does not possess elite defensive back speed.
Analysis: Jarrett was immediately productive as a freshman at Temple and has improved his game ever since. He possesses the physical abilities and ball skills to be used as a true centerfielder who can roam sideline to sideline at free safety. He comes with a nice upside and grades as a potential starter at the next level."
Negatives: Will take poor angles at times in run defense, needs to play a little more under control... Could stand to add a little weight if he is to continue playing the safety position at the next level... Is not very well suited for playing the center field, one-deep safety position, gives up too much cushion on intermediate routes underneath him... Footwork is a little sloppy at times, especially when breaking forward and changing directions... Will get out-muscled by blockers, takes on blocks well, but has difficulty disengaging from blocks to make plays."
2009 - 1st Team All-MAC - 76 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 pass break-ups, and 2 fumble recoveries.
2008 - Led team with 88 tackles and an INT with 4 pass break-ups and 3 recovered fumbles.
2007 - Started in every game as a freshman - Speacial Teams Player of the Year for Owls.
Excellent student. Demonstrates strong work ethic on and off the field. Respected team leader who won Captain's Award as a senior and Team Spirit Award as junior. Recipient of the 2010 National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame Academic Achievement Award. Recipient of the Temple athletic department's 2010 Enterprise Spirit and Sportsmanship Award. Also recognized on 2010 Athletic Director's Honor Roll. Senior Bowl invitee.
Strengths: Intelligent and durable - started EVERY collegiate game (49 games) - tough and fills up against the run. Excellent breaking down, wrapping up and finishing as a tackler. Opponents have a hard time getting a block on him. He plays bigger than size. Good flexibility.
Weaknesses: Undersized for ideal NFL safety. Lacks elite top-end speed but usually able to recover. Works hard to get in position to make a play but may not finish; occasionally mistimes his jump for the ball. Does not appear to have good hands.
Projection: 4th round. Has 3rd round value, but size may slide him down."
Jarrett has been flying under the radar for most of his career, but Temple reached a bowl game for the first time since 1979 during the 2009 campaign and Jarrett finally started getting some recognition. In 2010 Temple started off the season with some shaky defensive efforts, but a solid showing against Penn State put Jarrett's name back in the spotlight.
More important than a loss to Penn State is Temple's record in the Mid-American Conference. At 3-1, the Owls have a shot to win the East and take home their first ever MAC championship. That could happen if Jarrett continues to make big plays. At 6-2 and 202 pounds, he is a big hitter who can compete with anybody. If he continues to put up a solid effort game in and game out, Jarrett could be off the board in the second or third round."
However, he looks to have improved his game even further this season answering two big questions I had about him coming into the year.
1. Can he improve as a tackler?
2. Can he improve his overall feel in zone coverage recognizing routes and getting earlier jumps on the football?
And so far up to this point the answer has been yes on both counts.
He looks more physical attacking downhill in the run game, as he takes good angles, sees what he hits and has displayed a little more thump as a wrap-up guy. And when asked to play in zone, he’s doing a much better job feeling routes develop around him and quickly closing on the football. Now, the one knock on him is that he isn’t the most explosive of straight-line athletes and lacks idea make-up range, which is true, as he doesn’t look like a guy who will run in the low 4.4 range. However, I certainly think he is fast enough because of his ability to cleanly redirect and change directions to make plays in an NFL secondary, as he looks like one of the top senior safety prospects in the nation in my opinion."
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