Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath has proven he’s ready for NFL

[cowboyjoe]

Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath has proven he’s ready for NFL
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The Cowboys might target former Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath in the draft. Related Tags (BETA)


Darcel McBath’s first love is basketball. He always thought he was headed to the NBA. That’s why he quit football his first two years at Gainesville High.

"I was a basketball guy; I had basketball fever," McBath said. "I played AAU basketball, so I didn’t have time for football. I played basketball year-round."

McBath, though, regained his love for football as a junior, earned a scholarship to Texas Tech and now is projected as a second- or third-round NFL draft choice as one of the draft’s top safeties.

McBath began his career with the Red Raiders at corner before moving to safety, where he starred for three seasons. He finished his career with 218 tackles and 11 interceptions at safety, including 70 and six last season in earning All-Big 12 honors.

"Playing defense in the Big 12 is no easy task," says NFL Draft Scout, a Web site devoted to the draft. "Neither is playing against the Raiders’ offense every day in practice. McBath has the versatility and confidence to star in the secondary."

Three Big 12 receivers are ranked among the top eight draft prospects at wideout, including McBath’s teammate, Michael Crabtree, who could be a top-five pick.

"I played some of the best receivers in the country, [against teams that] passed on almost every down," McBath said. "I think I’ll be prepared in that aspect. I’ll definitely be ready to defend the pass. I got the best of [Crabtree] most of the time."

Overview

Last year, one safety was selected in the first round. The New York Giants used the 31st and final pick in the first round on University of Miami safety Kenny Phillips. No safety has a first-round grade this year. There could be several safeties selected in the second round, including Western Michigan’s Louis Delmas, Alabama’s Rashard Johnson and Oregon’s Patrick Chung.

Top 5

Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan, 6-0, 202, 4.52: He is a four-year starter and a three-time all-conference player.

Rashard Johnson, FS, Alabama, 5-11, 203, 4.49: The former walk-on had 224 career tackles and 11 interceptions.

Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon, 5-11, 212, 4.49: He made 51 career starts with a team-leading 117 tackles in 2007 and 92 stops in 2008.

William Moore, SS, Missouri, 6-0, 221, 4.56: He turned four of his 11 career interceptions into touchdowns.

Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest, 6-2, 221, 4.42: He is a two-year starter who averaged 90 tackles his final two seasons.

Sleeper

De’von Hall, SS, Utah State, 6-3, 212, 4.48: He had 72 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass breakups last season.

Texas ties

Darcel McBath, FS, Texas Tech, 6-0, 198, 4.58: McBath, who had 70 tackles and six interceptions last season, should be a second- or third-round pick.

LendyHolmes, FS, Oklahoma, 6-0, 206, 4.69: The Dallas South Oak Cliff product had 79 tackles and five interceptions.

Source: Heights, weights and 40 times were compiled from NFL Draft Scout.

 

[SDogo]

My man, my man

 

[cowboyjoe]

My man, my man

yeah, but isnt he alittle slow HomeofLegends? 4.58 in 40?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

De’von Hall, SS, Utah State, 6-3, 212, 4.48: He had 72 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass breakups last season.

Why haven't we heard more about this guy?

 

[BAT]

Why haven't we heard more about this guy?

No kidding. Would be a nice UDFA or 7th rounder. Great measurables and very good production. One year wonder?

 

[28 Joker]

Why haven't we heard more about this guy?

I have not heard of him. That is pretty good, CL.

I like Moore, Vaughn, and Chung better than Delmas.

I want a bigger safety. The smaller guys better have Sensabaugh's 4.44 speed, imo.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I have not heard of him. That is pretty good, CL.

I like Moore, Vaughn, and Chung better than Delmas.

I want a bigger safety. The smaller guys better have Sensabaugh's 4.44 speed, imo.

I'd rather have Jason Williams playing safety than those chumps. He's faster and 20+ pounds heavier than them

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'd rather have Jason Williams playing safety than those chumps. He's faster and 20+ pounds heavier than them

even over Delmas? who they are all faster and bigger than?

 

[Rampage]

even over Delmas? who they are all faster and bigger than?

William Moore is not faster than Delmas. don't show me a worthless 40 time to try and prove me wrong.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

William Moore is not faster than Delmas. don't show me a worthless 40 time to try and prove me wrong.

he's taken 4 of 11 INTs to the house

I'd say he's pretty freakin' fast

 

[Rampage]

he's taken 4 of 11 INTs to the house

I'd say he's pretty freakin' fast

I've seen d-linemen take picks to the house so ...
[youtube]LoXfiSU_wqE[/youtube]

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I've seen d-linemen take picks to the house so ...
[youtube]LoXfiSU_wqE[/youtube]

oh yeah?

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I couldn't care less about 40 times , they're safeties , who cares about their 40 time ? I'd take William Moore over every safety in this draft , but there's no need . It's a good safety draft and a good time to get value in later rounds . Take the best player available at #51 and pick up a safety in the 3rd or 4th round . Guys like Michael Hamlin and David Bruton will still be around and will make great players .

 

[Rampage]

oh yeah?

[youtube]XJNnDCOK_gw[/youtube]

 

[Bob Sacamano]

[youtube]XJNnDCOK_gw[/youtube]

I don't see anyone else here!

 

[Rampage]

I don't see anyone else here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqMiigy92qU

 

[SLATEmosphere]

even over Delmas? who they are all faster and bigger than?

No sirrr..Delmas will be gone by the time we pick so it doesn't matter. Vaughn, Moore and Chung are all garbage and small linebackers.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

No kidding. Would be a nice UDFA or 7th rounder. Great measurables and very good production. One year wonder?

I was able to find very little on him. Apparently he started out at LB, but from what I found he had some pass breakups and at least one INT there.

One site said he's an in-the-box guy who will bite on play-action. Well, that's coachable.

One reviewer said he looked good at the Shrine Game. Another site had him as the 10th best SS, ahead of guys like Fitzhugh and Hodge.

I dunno, but his measurables sound really good. IMO a SS is what we need, and this guy has length and speed for the pass, but as a former LB you know he'll tackle. I'm guessing he'd be good on special teams for that reason.

Here's what NFLDS had:

03/27/09 - Utah State Pro day: At Utah State’s pro day, eight players worked out indoors on AstroTurf for representatives from 20 NFL teams. Safety De’von Hall (6-2 3/4, 212 pounds) ran times of 4.53 and 4.48 in the 40 with an impressive 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump. He had times of 4.24 in the short shuttle and 6.95 in the three-cone drill and put up 26 reps on the bench press. – Gil Brandt, NFL.com

02/13/09 - PRO POTENTIAL: Safety Devon Hall played in the East-West Shrine Game, so the 6-3, 215-pounder probably is the school's best pro prospect. He posted 72 tackles last year (33 solo) and a team-high seven pass breakups. He also had four interceptions.

01/16/09 - De’von Hall doesn’t care that he’s a late addition. The Utah State senior safety is just glad to be part of the East-West Shrine Game. The 84th annual game will take place Saturday at Robertson Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN2. “It’s just a great opportunity, great exposure to still try to accomplish my dreams,” Hall said. “I just feel really thankful, really blessed.” The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Reseda, Calif., found out Tuesday night that he had been added to the West’s roster. “I was just really thankful, really excited,” Hall said. “Just overwhelmed.” Hall arrived in Houston the very next day. “Like two hours before Wednesday’s practice,” he pointed out. This is the second year in a row the Aggies have sent somebody to the Shrine Game. Both Kevin Robinson and Shawn Murphy represented USU in the 2008 event. Prior to that, it had been six years since an Aggie had suited up in the all-star game. Hall is the first USU defensive back selected since cornerback Donald Toomer in 1995. “I feel very blessed and just excited,” Hall said. “It was really exciting (to) practice in front of all the NFL scouts and getting coached by some NFL guys.” - Wade Denniston, HJ News

A little more from the Utah State site:

Quickly: First-name is pronounced Day-von... Started nine games last season at linebacker and gives that group leadership and experience... Enters the fall listed as the starting Aggie linebacker. 2006 (So.): Started nine games, while playing in 11 on the year... Did not play at Nevada and then saw limited time against Boise State due to injury... Finished third on the team with 68 tackles... Recovered three fumbles on the season and returned one 64 yards for a score at Boise State... Other fumble recoveries came at San Jose State and against New Mexico State... Had an interception at San Jose State and broke up three passes on the year... His 4.5 tackles for loss tied for fourth on the team... Best tackle games were season opener at Wyoming and season finale against New Mexico State when he had nine... Also had eight stops at Arkansas and at Louisiana Tech... Made seven tackles at BYU and at San Jose State... Despite missing a game, his 602 plays on defense were second on the team to Caleb Taylor (606). 2005 (Fr.): Started six games, including the first two and last four games of the season... Finished the year with 44 tackles to rank eighth on the team... Made eight tackles in his first collegiate game at Utah... Matched that total in the season finale at New Mexico State... Had five tackles at Alabama... Recorded a sack against Fresno State, had an interception against Hawai'i, and recovered a fumble against Louisiana Tech. High School: Was a four-year letterwinner and earned team MVP and first-team all-league honors as a quarterback as a senior... Played quarterback, wide receiver, outside linebacker and safety. Personal: Born Sept. 8, 1987 in Los Angeles, Calif... Son of Alecia Benson and Cary Hall... Majoring in exercise science.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I was able to find very little on him. Apparently he started out at LB, but from what I found he had some pass breakups and at least one INT there.

One site said he's an in-the-box guy who will bite on play-action. Well, that's coachable.

One reviewer said he looked good at the Shrine Game. Another site had him as the 10th best SS, ahead of guys like Fitzhugh and Hodge.

I dunno, but his measurables sound really good. IMO a SS is what we need, and this guy has length and speed for the pass, but as a former LB you know he'll tackle. I'm guessing he'd be good on special teams for that reason.

Here's what NFLDS had:

03/27/09 - Utah State Pro day: At Utah State’s pro day, eight players worked out indoors on AstroTurf for representatives from 20 NFL teams. Safety De’von Hall (6-2 3/4, 212 pounds) ran times of 4.53 and 4.48 in the 40 with an impressive 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump. He had times of 4.24 in the short shuttle and 6.95 in the three-cone drill and put up 26 reps on the bench press. – Gil Brandt, NFL.com

02/13/09 - PRO POTENTIAL: Safety Devon Hall played in the East-West Shrine Game, so the 6-3, 215-pounder probably is the school's best pro prospect. He posted 72 tackles last year (33 solo) and a team-high seven pass breakups. He also had four interceptions.

01/16/09 - De’von Hall doesn’t care that he’s a late addition. The Utah State senior safety is just glad to be part of the East-West Shrine Game. The 84th annual game will take place Saturday at Robertson Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN2. “It’s just a great opportunity, great exposure to still try to accomplish my dreams,” Hall said. “I just feel really thankful, really blessed.” The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Reseda, Calif., found out Tuesday night that he had been added to the West’s roster. “I was just really thankful, really excited,” Hall said. “Just overwhelmed.” Hall arrived in Houston the very next day. “Like two hours before Wednesday’s practice,” he pointed out. This is the second year in a row the Aggies have sent somebody to the Shrine Game. Both Kevin Robinson and Shawn Murphy represented USU in the 2008 event. Prior to that, it had been six years since an Aggie had suited up in the all-star game. Hall is the first USU defensive back selected since cornerback Donald Toomer in 1995. “I feel very blessed and just excited,” Hall said. “It was really exciting (to) practice in front of all the NFL scouts and getting coached by some NFL guys.” - Wade Denniston, HJ News

That's pretty impressive. 6 3 215 pounds running a 4.5?? not badd Plus 4 picks?? I'd take a flyer on this guy for sure..too bad I've never seen him play.

 

[BAT]

That's pretty impressive. 6 3 215 pounds running a 4.5?? not badd Plus 4 picks?? I'd take a flyer on this guy for sure..too bad I've never seen him play.

Interesting, those are Sean Smith-like measurables. With the exception that this kid actually wants to play safety.


Should be a good tackler due to the LB experience, and for guy who is described as a box player, still nabbed 4 INTS (like Chung). Not only would I like to see some tape, I am curious about his intangibles, or lack thereof.


Good find C-Lab.