CB Jayron Hosley of Virginia Tech ~ 5.10/169
~ Zimbio ~
"Hosley is an early-entry junior who was statistically a very productive corner for Virginia Tech throughout his career. He is undersized but plays with tenacity and a sense of urgency when around the ball. Hosley is an extremely scrappy player who finds a way to make an impact from the boundary corner position.
He could be a late riser in the draft and needs to prove that he can add weight to his frame to compete with NFL size, but he has late first-round value and should find playing time in nickel packages right away.
Strengths: Hosley is an excellent zone corner who has a ton of range and play-making ability around the ball. He has good field awareness to sniff out receiver screens and is a quick reactor when the ball is thrown.
He is consistently involved in the play and has good length to disengage receivers from the ball. Hosley is deceptive as a hitter and can deliver a serious blow for such a small frame. He has an impressive bubble and is a very bouncy athlete who can change directions on a dime.
He is capable of smothering at the line using his hands and technique, and is good to stay in receivers' hip in-phase. He is a scrappy player who employs an unconventional shuffle step off the ball and technique in general, but he finds a way to make impact plays.
Weaknesses: Hosley is very thin and could get abused by the bigger, more physical Larry Fitzgeralds of the league. He has unconventional footwork that could get him in trouble against quicker athletes. He can get lost at times when working with his back towards the ball and needs to be placed within the right scheme to be an effective player."
He could be a late riser in the draft and needs to prove that he can add weight to his frame to compete with NFL size, but he has late first-round value and should find playing time in nickel packages right away.
He is consistently involved in the play and has good length to disengage receivers from the ball. Hosley is deceptive as a hitter and can deliver a serious blow for such a small frame. He has an impressive bubble and is a very bouncy athlete who can change directions on a dime.
He is capable of smothering at the line using his hands and technique, and is good to stay in receivers' hip in-phase. He is a scrappy player who employs an unconventional shuffle step off the ball and technique in general, but he finds a way to make impact plays.
"A two-year starter, Hosley (HOZE-lee) was a three-star defensive back recruit out of high school, choosing Virginia Tech over Clemson, Louisville and South Florida. He saw action in every game in 2009 as a true freshman reserve, finishing with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 2 passes broken up and a punt return for a score.
Hosley became a starter in 2010 as a sophomore with 13 starts, recording 39 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 8 passes broken up and tied a school-record with 9 interceptions, adding another punt return for a touchdown and earning All-American honors. He returned in 2011 as a junior and again started 13 games, finishing with 59 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 12 passes broken up, earning Second Team All-ACC honors.
Hosley is undersized and lacks the frame to get too much stronger, but he plays bigger than his size would suggest and competes with a chip on his shoulder ? doesn?t back down from contact and effort isn?t a question.
He is quicker than fast and lacks blazing speed, but has above average foot quickness and change of direction ability to play tight coverage. Hosley has the skill-set to be an ideal nickelback at the next level, but has the physicality and confidence to compete and start on the outside at the next level ? has some Joe Haden to him and plays with the physical nature and explosiveness to warrant a top-50 selection in April?s draft.
***
Read & React: Gets better as the game goes on, picking up on small details and learning on the fly ? gets smarter as game progresses. Has very quick reaction skills and does a nice job using his eyes to recognize what the offense wants to do. Makes snap decisions and loves to drive on the ball. Will get caught with his eyes in the backfield at times, allowing the receiver to gain a step.
Man Coverage: A smooth athlete with fluid footwork and excellent quickness out of his breaks to drive on the ball. Has loose hips with above average foot quickness and balance to transition in a flash. Possesses the change of direction ability to be sticky in tight coverage. Will get too hands-on in coverage and his physical nature will attract penalties at the next level. Needs to stay under control through the whistle.
Zone Coverage: Shows exceptional feel in zone coverage, putting himself in ideal position to make a play with very good body positioning. Highly aggressive and competitive when the ball is in the air. Shows the ballskills and awareness to make plays on the ball. Lined up mostly in off-man coverage at Virginia Tech and has an obvious comfort level in this scheme.
Closing/Recovery: Hosley lacks elite speed and trusts his athleticism too much ? hasn?t focused on developing his technique and footwork for the position. Doesn?t have great long-speed to recover after a false step. Accelerates in a flash to close in a hurry.
Run Support: Has a physical playing style and never backs down in run support. Scrappy and loves to get dirty, attacking ballcarriers and never backing down. Very lean and lack of strength is a concern ? needs to spend more time in the weight room to add bulk. Inconsistent in run support because he?s too easily blocked and knocked out of the play. Often overaggressive, taking inaccurate angles to the play ? undisciplined with too many self-inflicted wounds.
Tackling: Needs to become a better wrap tackler and not settle for simply throwing his body around ? missed too many open-field tackles. Undersized with a short, light frame ? lack of overall size against bigger ballcarriers is tough to ignore.
Intangibles: Has a feisty playing temperament and displays much needed confidence for the position. Adds value as a return man on special teams, averaging 11.8 yards per return as a three-year punt returner, including a pair of touchdowns over his career. Has been very productive with a combined 12 interceptions and 20 passes broken up the past two seasons as a starter. Struggled with injuries in 2011, battling a hamstring and then a concussion late in the season."
-- Dane Brugler
Hosley became a starter in 2010 as a sophomore with 13 starts, recording 39 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 8 passes broken up and tied a school-record with 9 interceptions, adding another punt return for a touchdown and earning All-American honors. He returned in 2011 as a junior and again started 13 games, finishing with 59 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 12 passes broken up, earning Second Team All-ACC honors.
Hosley is undersized and lacks the frame to get too much stronger, but he plays bigger than his size would suggest and competes with a chip on his shoulder ? doesn?t back down from contact and effort isn?t a question.
He is quicker than fast and lacks blazing speed, but has above average foot quickness and change of direction ability to play tight coverage. Hosley has the skill-set to be an ideal nickelback at the next level, but has the physicality and confidence to compete and start on the outside at the next level ? has some Joe Haden to him and plays with the physical nature and explosiveness to warrant a top-50 selection in April?s draft.
***
Read & React: Gets better as the game goes on, picking up on small details and learning on the fly ? gets smarter as game progresses. Has very quick reaction skills and does a nice job using his eyes to recognize what the offense wants to do. Makes snap decisions and loves to drive on the ball. Will get caught with his eyes in the backfield at times, allowing the receiver to gain a step.
Man Coverage: A smooth athlete with fluid footwork and excellent quickness out of his breaks to drive on the ball. Has loose hips with above average foot quickness and balance to transition in a flash. Possesses the change of direction ability to be sticky in tight coverage. Will get too hands-on in coverage and his physical nature will attract penalties at the next level. Needs to stay under control through the whistle.
Zone Coverage: Shows exceptional feel in zone coverage, putting himself in ideal position to make a play with very good body positioning. Highly aggressive and competitive when the ball is in the air. Shows the ballskills and awareness to make plays on the ball. Lined up mostly in off-man coverage at Virginia Tech and has an obvious comfort level in this scheme.
Closing/Recovery: Hosley lacks elite speed and trusts his athleticism too much ? hasn?t focused on developing his technique and footwork for the position. Doesn?t have great long-speed to recover after a false step. Accelerates in a flash to close in a hurry.
Run Support: Has a physical playing style and never backs down in run support. Scrappy and loves to get dirty, attacking ballcarriers and never backing down. Very lean and lack of strength is a concern ? needs to spend more time in the weight room to add bulk. Inconsistent in run support because he?s too easily blocked and knocked out of the play. Often overaggressive, taking inaccurate angles to the play ? undisciplined with too many self-inflicted wounds.
Tackling: Needs to become a better wrap tackler and not settle for simply throwing his body around ? missed too many open-field tackles. Undersized with a short, light frame ? lack of overall size against bigger ballcarriers is tough to ignore.
Intangibles: Has a feisty playing temperament and displays much needed confidence for the position. Adds value as a return man on special teams, averaging 11.8 yards per return as a three-year punt returner, including a pair of touchdowns over his career. Has been very productive with a combined 12 interceptions and 20 passes broken up the past two seasons as a starter. Struggled with injuries in 2011, battling a hamstring and then a concussion late in the season."
-- Dane Brugler
" What I like…
- Displays natural fluidity when asked to turn and run. Keeps his feet under him and reaches top end speed quickly.
- Locates the ball well vertically down the field, exhibits good balance and has the explosion to go up and make a play at the highest point.
- Displays a "plus" feel in zone coverage, deciphering information quickly, feels routes developing around him and routinely puts himself around the football.
- Possesses that 6th sense to know when to come off his man and jump a route off his frame.
- Demonstrates a "plus" first step when asked to click and close once he gathers himself.
- Is quick footed and naturally balanced allowing himself to quickly gather his feet and make plays on the football despite his spotty technique
- Displays excellent ball skills in all areas of the game, consistently can adjust and come down the pick.
- Demonstrates good timing when locked up with his man and but needs to play big. Times up the throw well, maximizes his length with proper angles toward the football and shoots the proper hand in order to knock away the pass.
- Doesn't waste much motion out of his breaks when he can stay true to his leverage off the line in zone and drive on the football. Exhibits the ability to undercut routes and go get the football.
- Has experience playing as the field safety and getting over the top of the defense in the deep half.
- Has been extremely productive as a corner the past two seasons with 12 picks during that time.
What I don't like…
- Is an undersized corner with a thinner frame, narrow waist and lacks ideal height.
- Doesn't have a great feel for the run when playing as the field safety. Doesn't take consistent angles and can be slow to decipher the inside run game.
- Isn't a consistent tackler, lacks ideal power into contact and has a tendency to slip off his fair share of ball carriers.
- Doesn't have a ton of experience in man coverage.
- Wants to open his hips up prematurely and turn and run in all situations.
- Gets too upright and narrow with his footwork when trying to cleanly get out of his breaks in off man and will lose balance because of it initially.
- Will get upright in his drop in off man coverage and will drift slightly when trying to click and close on routes under him.
- Gives up too much of a cushion at times in off man and his willingness to open up his hips prematurely allows too many easy completions outside his frame.
- Isn't going to be a fit for every scheme. More of a cover two type guy only who is going to need to do a better job sitting into his drop and staying compact with his footwork, as he gets upright when he tries to backpedal down the field taking away from his initial burst.
- Is quicker than fast, lacks elite straight-line speed, looks like a 4.5 guy on tape.
Impression: An undersized zone corner who lacks ideal size and doesn't run overly well. Exhibits "plus" ball skills and a natural feel in zone, but is raw with his footwork in man coverage and looks more like a cover two guy only who might be best suited to play inside."
- Displays natural fluidity when asked to turn and run. Keeps his feet under him and reaches top end speed quickly.
- Locates the ball well vertically down the field, exhibits good balance and has the explosion to go up and make a play at the highest point.
- Displays a "plus" feel in zone coverage, deciphering information quickly, feels routes developing around him and routinely puts himself around the football.
- Possesses that 6th sense to know when to come off his man and jump a route off his frame.
- Demonstrates a "plus" first step when asked to click and close once he gathers himself.
- Is quick footed and naturally balanced allowing himself to quickly gather his feet and make plays on the football despite his spotty technique
- Displays excellent ball skills in all areas of the game, consistently can adjust and come down the pick.
- Demonstrates good timing when locked up with his man and but needs to play big. Times up the throw well, maximizes his length with proper angles toward the football and shoots the proper hand in order to knock away the pass.
- Doesn't waste much motion out of his breaks when he can stay true to his leverage off the line in zone and drive on the football. Exhibits the ability to undercut routes and go get the football.
- Has experience playing as the field safety and getting over the top of the defense in the deep half.
- Has been extremely productive as a corner the past two seasons with 12 picks during that time.
What I don't like…
- Is an undersized corner with a thinner frame, narrow waist and lacks ideal height.
- Doesn't have a great feel for the run when playing as the field safety. Doesn't take consistent angles and can be slow to decipher the inside run game.
- Isn't a consistent tackler, lacks ideal power into contact and has a tendency to slip off his fair share of ball carriers.
- Doesn't have a ton of experience in man coverage.
- Wants to open his hips up prematurely and turn and run in all situations.
- Gets too upright and narrow with his footwork when trying to cleanly get out of his breaks in off man and will lose balance because of it initially.
- Will get upright in his drop in off man coverage and will drift slightly when trying to click and close on routes under him.
- Gives up too much of a cushion at times in off man and his willingness to open up his hips prematurely allows too many easy completions outside his frame.
- Isn't going to be a fit for every scheme. More of a cover two type guy only who is going to need to do a better job sitting into his drop and staying compact with his footwork, as he gets upright when he tries to backpedal down the field taking away from his initial burst.
- Is quicker than fast, lacks elite straight-line speed, looks like a 4.5 guy on tape.
Impression: An undersized zone corner who lacks ideal size and doesn't run overly well. Exhibits "plus" ball skills and a natural feel in zone, but is raw with his footwork in man coverage and looks more like a cover two guy only who might be best suited to play inside."
"Ball-hawker extraordinaire led the nation with nine interceptions as a sophomore last fall; lacks sprinter speed, but is very quick, can turn on a dime and has fluid hips; reads the play well and breaks crisply out of his back pedal;
Has outstanding ball skill and is explosive with the ball in his hands; also a very good punt returner who averaged 13 yards per return last fall and already has a couple of TD returns on his resume; not very big or physical, but a good open-field tackler, although he isn’t that aggressive coming up in run support and had just 39 tackles last fall;
Also too small to be effective jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage and can be bumped off the play downfield; also can be inconsistent in coverage as he will gamble and give up big plays when he misses; likely a top 50 prospect if he enters the upcoming draft, but lack of elite measurable could keep him out of first round."
Has outstanding ball skill and is explosive with the ball in his hands; also a very good punt returner who averaged 13 yards per return last fall and already has a couple of TD returns on his resume; not very big or physical, but a good open-field tackler, although he isn’t that aggressive coming up in run support and had just 39 tackles last fall;
Also too small to be effective jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage and can be bumped off the play downfield; also can be inconsistent in coverage as he will gamble and give up big plays when he misses; likely a top 50 prospect if he enters the upcoming draft, but lack of elite measurable could keep him out of first round."
"Hosley has emerged into a force on both defense and special teams in his third year at Virginia Tech. At cornerback, he has 31 tackles, three interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble in eight games (all starts). Hosley is also averaging 11.1 yards as the Hokies' primary punt returner.
Of course, people probably saw this coming. After playing sparingly as a freshman, especially on special teams, Hosley exploded onto the scene in 2010 with nine interceptions.
Relatively undersized especially by NFL standards, Hosley stands at 5'10'' and 171 pounds. The Delray Beach, FL native generally runs around a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash and he's been clocked as fast as 4.42 from that distance.
He has outstanding hands and his impressive vertical leap can make of for his size deficiency in pass coverage. Hosley can get overpowered when he tries to jam bigger receivers at the line of scrimmage and he would also do well to improve his tackling skills."
Of course, people probably saw this coming. After playing sparingly as a freshman, especially on special teams, Hosley exploded onto the scene in 2010 with nine interceptions.
Relatively undersized especially by NFL standards, Hosley stands at 5'10'' and 171 pounds. The Delray Beach, FL native generally runs around a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash and he's been clocked as fast as 4.42 from that distance.
He has outstanding hands and his impressive vertical leap can make of for his size deficiency in pass coverage. Hosley can get overpowered when he tries to jam bigger receivers at the line of scrimmage and he would also do well to improve his tackling skills."
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