RS12
04-26-2012, 08:02 PM
3. CB-KR Morris Claiborne LSU 7.00 5-11 1/4 190 4.44
Notes:
Has a son. Nickname is Mo. Played quarterback, defensive back and wide receiver as a Louisiana prep while also playing basketball and baseball and running track. Accounted for more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior quarterback and won the 4A state title in the 100-meter dash (10.76 seconds). Saw action in seven games at cornerback as a true freshman in 2009 after going to fall camp as a wide receiver, recording seven tackles, zero pass breakups and zero interceptions. Ended the season as the backup right cornerback behind Arizona Cardinals 2011 first-rounder Patrick Peterson. Moved to the left side and teamed with Peterson in 10, leading the team in interceptions after posting 37-6-5 with one tackle for loss in 12 starts. Missed the Louisiana-Monroe game because of a concussion. Won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nations best defensive back in 11 posted 51-6-6 (45-yard TD in SEC title game) with one tackle for loss in 14 starts (12 at RCB, the season opener at LCB and once as a nickel back). Also returned kickoffs 22-552-1 (25.1), including a 99-yard touchdown at West Virginia. Team captain. Was medically excluded from bench-pressing at the Combine with a left wrist injury.
Positives:
Rare arm length (tied for longest among cornerbacks at the Combine) to hem and control receivers at the line strong in press coverage and uses levers to reroute receivers. Maintains great positioning and is seldom out of phase works the trail position and will bait quarterbacks. Plays on balance, can read through his man to the quarterback and attacks the ball in the air like a receiver. Has very good hands, ball skills and interception production exceptional catching radius to extend outside his frame and snatch the ball. Is so smooth and fluid he looks like he is gliding in coverage very good competitive playing speed (faster than he timed). Is a solid, controlled tackler in space and will work off blocks to support leverages the edges, takes good angles and shows a sense of urgency in the run game, even forklifting smaller ballcarriers into the ground. Terrific zone eyes and awareness passes off receivers and quickly recognizes combo routes. Versatile has played inside and outside. Feisty and does not back down from a challenge carries a swagger. Confident, competitive and instinctive. Has kickoff-return skill sees the field, anticipates angles, makes subtle cuts and can go the distance. Solid personal character and work habits.
Negatives:
Has small hands. Tends to rise in his pedal (very apparent in Combine drills). Did not perform like an elite athlete at the Combine (clocked multiple 4.56-second handheld 40-times and recorded only a 341⁄2-inch vertical jump). Lacks elite twitch out of his transition and could be stressed by quickness in the slot. Is not consistently physical in run support seeks to shoestring-tackle some big backs.
Summary:
A well-built, rangy, long-limbed, confident press-man cover corner with the ball skills, instincts, toughness and swagger to lock down No. 1 receivers in the pros. Makes the game look easy and should factor readily.
http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/morris-claiborne-17/
Notes:
Has a son. Nickname is Mo. Played quarterback, defensive back and wide receiver as a Louisiana prep while also playing basketball and baseball and running track. Accounted for more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior quarterback and won the 4A state title in the 100-meter dash (10.76 seconds). Saw action in seven games at cornerback as a true freshman in 2009 after going to fall camp as a wide receiver, recording seven tackles, zero pass breakups and zero interceptions. Ended the season as the backup right cornerback behind Arizona Cardinals 2011 first-rounder Patrick Peterson. Moved to the left side and teamed with Peterson in 10, leading the team in interceptions after posting 37-6-5 with one tackle for loss in 12 starts. Missed the Louisiana-Monroe game because of a concussion. Won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nations best defensive back in 11 posted 51-6-6 (45-yard TD in SEC title game) with one tackle for loss in 14 starts (12 at RCB, the season opener at LCB and once as a nickel back). Also returned kickoffs 22-552-1 (25.1), including a 99-yard touchdown at West Virginia. Team captain. Was medically excluded from bench-pressing at the Combine with a left wrist injury.
Positives:
Rare arm length (tied for longest among cornerbacks at the Combine) to hem and control receivers at the line strong in press coverage and uses levers to reroute receivers. Maintains great positioning and is seldom out of phase works the trail position and will bait quarterbacks. Plays on balance, can read through his man to the quarterback and attacks the ball in the air like a receiver. Has very good hands, ball skills and interception production exceptional catching radius to extend outside his frame and snatch the ball. Is so smooth and fluid he looks like he is gliding in coverage very good competitive playing speed (faster than he timed). Is a solid, controlled tackler in space and will work off blocks to support leverages the edges, takes good angles and shows a sense of urgency in the run game, even forklifting smaller ballcarriers into the ground. Terrific zone eyes and awareness passes off receivers and quickly recognizes combo routes. Versatile has played inside and outside. Feisty and does not back down from a challenge carries a swagger. Confident, competitive and instinctive. Has kickoff-return skill sees the field, anticipates angles, makes subtle cuts and can go the distance. Solid personal character and work habits.
Negatives:
Has small hands. Tends to rise in his pedal (very apparent in Combine drills). Did not perform like an elite athlete at the Combine (clocked multiple 4.56-second handheld 40-times and recorded only a 341⁄2-inch vertical jump). Lacks elite twitch out of his transition and could be stressed by quickness in the slot. Is not consistently physical in run support seeks to shoestring-tackle some big backs.
Summary:
A well-built, rangy, long-limbed, confident press-man cover corner with the ball skills, instincts, toughness and swagger to lock down No. 1 receivers in the pros. Makes the game look easy and should factor readily.
http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/morris-claiborne-17/