Cortez Allen of The Citadel ~ 6.2/185
"A tall, lean cornerback who struggles to keep his pad level down and maintain balance in all areas of his game. Possesses decent fluidity in the hips, but allows himself to get too high when asked to turn and run and routinely allows defenders to get behind him.
Exhibits good strider speed and has a bit of a second gear when asked to run vertically. However, doesn't do a great job keeping his balance when asked to extend his long arms and get the football. Looks natural when asked to get his head around and find the throw, but doesn't possess the kind of coordination to consistently go up and make a play.
Also, really gets leggy in and out of his breaks when asked to redirect in man. Too often gets upright and it takes him far too long to change directions and is forced to collect himself before closing on the football. Displays above-average closing speed for his size once he gets his feet back under him, but too often gives up too much initial separation to close and gets his long arms on the football.
Impression: A nice size/speed corner who needs to learn to keep his pad level down more consistently to have a chance of making plays on the football in man coverage. But, has some press coverage ability and warrants a pick."
Exhibits good strider speed and has a bit of a second gear when asked to run vertically. However, doesn't do a great job keeping his balance when asked to extend his long arms and get the football. Looks natural when asked to get his head around and find the throw, but doesn't possess the kind of coordination to consistently go up and make a play.
Also, really gets leggy in and out of his breaks when asked to redirect in man. Too often gets upright and it takes him far too long to change directions and is forced to collect himself before closing on the football. Displays above-average closing speed for his size once he gets his feet back under him, but too often gives up too much initial separation to close and gets his long arms on the football.
Impression: A nice size/speed corner who needs to learn to keep his pad level down more consistently to have a chance of making plays on the football in man coverage. But, has some press coverage ability and warrants a pick."
"Allen is one of a handful of highly-rated 2011 draft prospects who played only one year of high school football. That single season was impressive; he was named first-team all-state in Florida by the state's sportswriters (the team also included 2010 prospects RB Javarris James (Miami, Fla.), DT Linval Joseph (East Carolina), CB Sam Shields (Miami, Fla.) and Ohio State senior linebacker Brian Rolle). Allen took on the challenge of attending a military college, The Citadel. The Bulldogs had a top-100 NFL draft prospect in All-American receiver Andre Roberts in 2010 and Allen could be in a similar situation with a strong senior year, all-star game (like Roberts, who excelled at the Senior Bowl) and postseason workout.
He played sparingly in four games as a true freshman, making two tackles, before redshirting the 2007 season due to injury. Allen finally received more playing time in 2008, playing in all 12 games, starting six, making 39 tackles, two for loss and breaking up five passes. His breakout 2009 season earned him a spot on the Southern Conference's coaches second team; his 57 tackles ranked second on the team, and his three interceptions and five pass breakups led the squad.
NFL scouts may have a deja-vu moment when watching Allen. He has a build and movement quite similar to those of former Tennessee State star Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was Arizona's first-round pick in 2008. Allen has not been as productive as "DRC" and is not quite as physical, but has prototypical height and extremely quick feet. He should get consideration in the top half of the draft as an intriguing prospect with potential to start.
***
Read & React: Decent instincts for being relatively new to the game, and has excellent reaction time to attack the run and close on passes. Good range and hustle to chase down ballcarriers from behind. Loses concentration if not challenged during the game, which happens often because of his size and speed.
Man Coverage: Typically used in man coverage, lines up well off the line, in press-bail or occasionally in press. Quick feet in his backpedal, pumps his arms. Good transition to flip his hips to change direction, but will open up too early so receivers can be effective on stop routes. Has the speed to stay with his man over the middle in trail coverage. Quick hands, length and straight-line speed allow him to get good contact within five yards and stay with receivers down the sideline. Stays too high in his pedal at times when he's not being challenged by passes coming his way. Excellent height and vertical in one-on-one situations, FCS teams do not often test him downfield or on jump balls for that reason. Needs to get his head around more quickly to deflect passes.
Zone Coverage: Inexperienced in zone coverage but has the footwork and closing speed to be effective. Good size and length to wrap up receivers quickly after the catch. Will be a step late planting to drive on the ball from his pedal, needs to tighten up the footwork.
Closing/Recovery: Hustles to the ball with a good burst when it's in the air, whether he is down the sideline or trailing a receiver over the middle. Good recovery speed if beaten on an inside or double move. Needs to get his head around to find the ball in the air when facing better receivers. Takes an extra step or two when transitioning from pedal to closing on out routes.
Run Support: Willing in run support. Not explosive on the edge but usually gets the back out of bounds on outside runs or chops them down with a strong cut tackle. Extremely quick feet and reactions on run plays, usually jumps around blocks to get into the play. Will also punch and slingshot around receiver to get off their block.
Tackling: Capable wrap tackler in the open field, strong enough to bring down running backs and receivers by their shoulder pads. Also a solid cut tackler whether supporting the run or in the open field; takes out the legs of oncoming receivers. Good hustle to help teammates, even to the opposite side of the field. Gets passive on some plays, forgets to drop his hips and break down, which allows ballcarriers to go through his arm tackles. Lacks great upper-body strength to drag down stronger ballcarriers.
Intangibles: Team captain in 2010. Missed the 2007 season with a knee injury. Solid character, made the Commandant's Distinguished Service List in the fall of 2009."
He played sparingly in four games as a true freshman, making two tackles, before redshirting the 2007 season due to injury. Allen finally received more playing time in 2008, playing in all 12 games, starting six, making 39 tackles, two for loss and breaking up five passes. His breakout 2009 season earned him a spot on the Southern Conference's coaches second team; his 57 tackles ranked second on the team, and his three interceptions and five pass breakups led the squad.
NFL scouts may have a deja-vu moment when watching Allen. He has a build and movement quite similar to those of former Tennessee State star Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was Arizona's first-round pick in 2008. Allen has not been as productive as "DRC" and is not quite as physical, but has prototypical height and extremely quick feet. He should get consideration in the top half of the draft as an intriguing prospect with potential to start.
***
Read & React: Decent instincts for being relatively new to the game, and has excellent reaction time to attack the run and close on passes. Good range and hustle to chase down ballcarriers from behind. Loses concentration if not challenged during the game, which happens often because of his size and speed.
Man Coverage: Typically used in man coverage, lines up well off the line, in press-bail or occasionally in press. Quick feet in his backpedal, pumps his arms. Good transition to flip his hips to change direction, but will open up too early so receivers can be effective on stop routes. Has the speed to stay with his man over the middle in trail coverage. Quick hands, length and straight-line speed allow him to get good contact within five yards and stay with receivers down the sideline. Stays too high in his pedal at times when he's not being challenged by passes coming his way. Excellent height and vertical in one-on-one situations, FCS teams do not often test him downfield or on jump balls for that reason. Needs to get his head around more quickly to deflect passes.
Zone Coverage: Inexperienced in zone coverage but has the footwork and closing speed to be effective. Good size and length to wrap up receivers quickly after the catch. Will be a step late planting to drive on the ball from his pedal, needs to tighten up the footwork.
Closing/Recovery: Hustles to the ball with a good burst when it's in the air, whether he is down the sideline or trailing a receiver over the middle. Good recovery speed if beaten on an inside or double move. Needs to get his head around to find the ball in the air when facing better receivers. Takes an extra step or two when transitioning from pedal to closing on out routes.
Run Support: Willing in run support. Not explosive on the edge but usually gets the back out of bounds on outside runs or chops them down with a strong cut tackle. Extremely quick feet and reactions on run plays, usually jumps around blocks to get into the play. Will also punch and slingshot around receiver to get off their block.
Tackling: Capable wrap tackler in the open field, strong enough to bring down running backs and receivers by their shoulder pads. Also a solid cut tackler whether supporting the run or in the open field; takes out the legs of oncoming receivers. Good hustle to help teammates, even to the opposite side of the field. Gets passive on some plays, forgets to drop his hips and break down, which allows ballcarriers to go through his arm tackles. Lacks great upper-body strength to drag down stronger ballcarriers.
Intangibles: Team captain in 2010. Missed the 2007 season with a knee injury. Solid character, made the Commandant's Distinguished Service List in the fall of 2009."
"Bio: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference honors since his junior season. Totals last year included 22/2/5 after 57/3/5 as a junior.
Positive: Smooth, fluid athlete who is still learning to translate his natural skills onto the football field. Moves well around the field, quick flipping his hips and easily changes direction. Works to jam opponents at the line of scrimmage, plays with good quickness, and rarely off his feet. Has a burst to the action and the ability to stay downfield with opponents.
Negative: Rarely backpedals and prefers to side shuffle off the line. Slow locating the ball and usually a half step late to react. Better athlete than cornerback at this point in time.
Analysis: Allen is a solid small school prospect who needs work on his overall game and defensive back fundamentals. He may be best in a scheme that has him backed off the line of scrimmage, and he should be a solid dime back in the NFL."
Positive: Smooth, fluid athlete who is still learning to translate his natural skills onto the football field. Moves well around the field, quick flipping his hips and easily changes direction. Works to jam opponents at the line of scrimmage, plays with good quickness, and rarely off his feet. Has a burst to the action and the ability to stay downfield with opponents.
Negative: Rarely backpedals and prefers to side shuffle off the line. Slow locating the ball and usually a half step late to react. Better athlete than cornerback at this point in time.
Analysis: Allen is a solid small school prospect who needs work on his overall game and defensive back fundamentals. He may be best in a scheme that has him backed off the line of scrimmage, and he should be a solid dime back in the NFL."
"Strengths: He made plays when he could but for the most part teams tried to stay away from him. He looks slender but is a good tackler who's fluid in motion, and able to outrun mistakes at this level, scout'll be interested to see how he adjusts to the big boys. He has good coverage skills but again, the level of competition will be scrutinized.
Weaknesses: On occasion he would get too upright and leggy in his backpedal and transition and allows too much separation out of breaks. He'll have to be more efficient with his feet and hips at the next level.
Projection: I think his size and a very good pro day he could be gone by the middle of the 4th, a poor showing likely pushes him down to the 5th/6th range."
Weaknesses: On occasion he would get too upright and leggy in his backpedal and transition and allows too much separation out of breaks. He'll have to be more efficient with his feet and hips at the next level.
Projection: I think his size and a very good pro day he could be gone by the middle of the 4th, a poor showing likely pushes him down to the 5th/6th range."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Cortez Allen
Cortez Allen looks like a very intriguing Late Rounder at this point.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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