UConn Safety Obi Melifonwu

[casmith07]

RS Senior | 6'3" | 217 lbs | 4-Year Starter

2016: Was named first team All-American Athletic Conference and also earned All-ECAC and All-New England honors...started in all 12 games at safety...racked up a team-high 128 tackles and four interceptions...also had 2.0 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery...compiled seven double-digit tackle games...recorded a career-high and near UConn record 24 tackles vs. Tulane (Nov. 26)...Had a pair of interceptions vs. Temple (Nov. 4)...played in the 2017 Senior Bowl. [Official UConn Huskies Bio]

Also was named by his teammates and coaches as Defensive Player of the Year for 2016.

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Keep an eye on this player, guys. He's almost a clone of Byron Jones, with respect to his style of play, athleticism, measurables, and his academics (correction on previous information: he has one of the highest GPAs in the entire athletic department).

This has become my go-to selection for a defensive back for this draft. He'd immediately improve the Strong Safety position in a way that we haven't seen in nearly 20 years.

 

[casmith07]

Click this link to find a short article with a great video:

UConn’s Obi Melifonwu might be the best–and smartest–safety in the nation

 

[darthseinfeld]

Click this link to find a short article with a great video:

UConn’s Obi Melifonwu might be the best–and smartest–safety in the nation

You attorney's do love your academics

 

[darthseinfeld]

RS Senior | 6'3" | 217 lbs | 4-Year Starter

2016: Was named first team All-American Athletic Conference and also earned All-ECAC and All-New England honors...started in all 12 games at safety...racked up a team-high 128 tackles and four interceptions...also had 2.0 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery...compiled seven double-digit tackle games...recorded a career-high and near UConn record 24 tackles vs. Tulane (Nov. 26)...Had a pair of interceptions vs. Temple (Nov. 4)...played in the 2017 Senior Bowl. [Official UConn Huskies Bio]

Also was named by his teammates and coaches as Defensive Player of the Year for 2016.

- - - - - -

Keep an eye on this player, guys. He's almost a clone of Byron Jones, with respect to his style of play, athleticism, measurables, and his academics (correction on previous information: he has one of the highest GPAs in the entire athletic department).

This has become my go-to selection for a defensive back for this draft. He'd immediately improve the Strong Safety position in a way that we haven't seen in nearly 20 years.

He is a name to watch as far as Dallas is concerned. He really fits there althetic profile. If you combine him and Jones, the range at the Safety position is better then anything we have seen since Woodson/Marion

 

[gmoney112]

He's not even the best safety in this draft.

And didn't he start for 4 years? With those measurables he should have crushed the competition at UConn. I know some people thought he looked good, but he lacked instincts to me, and as far as "on field" talent, he's probably a third rounder in this draft.

Haha, and GPA doesn't even concern me with these college guys. Call me when they get good GPA's in difficult majors like Frederick did. I really don't care if they had a 3.5 in Basketweaving.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

I'd rather have Josh Jones.

 

[JohnsKey19]

The word is his game film is mediocre despite being an athletic freak.

 

[Avery]

He's a day two prospect. I'd consider him with the 2nd.

 

[Teague31]

Is being a clone of Byron Jones a good thing?

 

[fredp22]

He's a day two prospect. I'd consider him with the 2nd.

He's met with Seattle. If they like him they'll grab him before us in 2nd. He's also met with New Orleans who has 2 1st round picks. Dont think He'll make it to us in 2nd

 

[RS12]

Is being a clone of Byron Jones a good thing?

Yes that is what I was thinking. Two turn overs in two years not what I was hoping for, and as I recall the pick was a helium ball thrown right to him. I dont want the U Conn safety at 28, at all. Tape says round 3 or 4.

 

[marchetta]

Obi Melifonwu S/OLB Connecticut

TALENT
ROUND 1

STRENGTHS
Obi is a tall, strong, smart defensive back who can cover and tackle in the open field. He is one of the more secure and form tackling safeties in this draft. He has the length and size to cover and the solid change of direction skills to play any one of the defensive backfield positions inside the red zone. Obi has leadership skills not only through his play on the field but also because of his character off the field. He has the size and athleticism to cover those big tight ends down the slot and with his ability to change direction will be able to cover your tall receivers in the red zone also. Obi has unique athletic talent for his size and surprising speed and with his long legs, long arms, will surprise most quarterbacks who think they can beat him when he is playing off the line as a single free safety. Obi’s is destine is to become a pro bowl defensive player for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Biggest issue that Obi has to overcome is that teams will think that he is too big and not quick enough to cover but that is not true. His numbers at the combine show that he is quick but I believe most teams will think he is not. He’s length and long strides make up for a lack of the average “safety quickness ratio” and if teams realize that than Obi will be selected very early in this draft.

BOTTOM LINE
Obi’s ability to cover in the red zone, and collect himself and tackle securely in the open field, is impressive. Add to that his character on and off the field, his football intelligence and ability to lead and make players around him better and I think you have a pro bowl safety that could play more than one position in your defensive back field. Obi could play in your defensive back field or he could became a outside linebacker because of his ability to tackle and this means …he could become a core player, key player and pro bowl player, the kind you can build your defense around.

- Drew Boylhart (The Huddle Report) [PARAPHRASED]

BTW, Obi is Drew's #3 rated DB in the draft (Lattimore, Humphrey, Obi)

 

[marchetta]

Is being a clone of Byron Jones a good thing?

Obi is my #1 target @ #28. He's got Jason Garrett's RKG written all over him. How can having another Byron Jones be a bad thing? I'd "settle" for Takk or Peppers, but I'd jump for joy if we land Obi!

 

[Rogerthat12]

The word is his game film is mediocre despite being an athletic freak.

Brugler grades his tape as 3rd rounder, he concedes he will be drafted much higher like in the first or second round due to his combine performance and measurables but he argues his game tape and overall body of work warrants a third round grade.

His criticism seems to be that he lacks the instincts and speedy mental process that he needs at the S position causing him to be slow and reactive which leads to being out of position and limits his playmaking ability.

He also thinks this slow mental process may not allow him to ever play at a high level and will be a slow learning process if somehow he does overcome this issue.

 

[casmith07]

Book it -- you're going to see him rise on boards as visits happen and more teams talk to the media ahead of the draft.

He's one of those selections that people will say, "oh okay...actually a smart pick" if he goes in the first round. Kind of like Travis Frederick.

 

[rambo2]

I'd rather have Josh Jones.

Yep, Jones is the guy.

 

[rambo2]

Book it -- you're going to see him rise on boards as visits happen and more teams talk to the media ahead of the draft.

He's one of those selections that people will say, "oh okay...actually a smart pick" if he goes in the first round. Kind of like Travis Frederick.

He has already risen. He should go end of the first or middle of the 2nd.

 

[rambo2]

Brugler grades his tape as 3rd rounder, he concedes he will be drafted much higher like in the first or second round due to his combine performance and measurables but he argues his game tape and overall body of work warrants a third round grade.

His criticism seems to be that he lacks the instincts and speedy mental process that he needs at the S position causing him to be slow and reactive which leads to being out of position and limits his playmaking ability.

He also thinks this slow mental process may not allow him to ever play at a high level and will be a slow learning process if somehow he does overcome this issue.

Jones and Peppers are more aggressive players.

 

[RS12]

Jones and Peppers are more aggressive players.

I think Peppers is falling. Pauline said he was the least impressive DB in the drills at Michigan pro day. Not that I put huge stock in that but a first round pick needs a set position where he can excel and I dont think he has one.

 

[phildadon86]

He's not even the best safety in this draft.

And didn't he start for 4 years? With those measurables he should have crushed the competition at UConn. I know some people thought he looked good, but he lacked instincts to me, and as far as "on field" talent, he's probably a third rounder in this draft.

Haha, and GPA doesn't even concern me with these college guys. Call me when they get good GPA's in difficult majors like Frederick did. I really don't care if they had a 3.5 in Basketweaving.

Hey now, basketweaving is an incredibly hard course.