The 2022 Senior Bowl is upon us and practices for the National and American teams will be underway shortly in Mobile, AL.
Given the opportunity to observe several impressive NFL draft prospects in person, we will do our best to evaluate the impressive pool of upperclassmen talent and determine the best fits for the Chargers.
Today, I am taking a look at Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant.
Coby Bryant | Cincinnati | #7 | Senior | Cleveland, OH | 6013 | 191
Testing
40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Career: AAC First Team selection in 2020 and 2021. Winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the country’s best defensive back. Cornerstone of a Bearcats defense that ranked first in pass proficiency, earning the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance. Totaled 170 tackles (7.0 for loss), nine interceptions, and 35 passes defenses in 53 games.
Red Flags: None
Strengths: Flexible runner that can turn and carry the receiver upfield with ease. A fisherman guarding the vertical game; Bryant is content to reel in threats to the top of the secondary with nonchalant long speed once he flips his hips. Methodical in man coverage that trusts his fluidity and smooth footwork to glide alongside opponents. Gives himself ample distance to process the proceedings of the offense and react. Backpedal is steady and polished, allowing for a seamless transition to click and close to underneath targets. Productive ballhawk that pinpoints throw trajectories and is the first to rise up and challenge the catch. A mercenary when tasked with blitzing duties – frantic when he blazes off the edge with a hellbent mentality to plunge into the backfield with urgency. Gets the most out of his practical length using accurate strikes from a balanced stance to sway press matchups in his favor. A shrill communicator who conveys his pre-snap observations to the defense and directs adjustments to the formation accordingly. Embraces contact and the physical aspect of the game, assisting the run defense with vicious intent.
Weaknesses: Prone to diving at a player’s ankles as his go-to tackle method. His form needs vast retooling to improve his consistency wrapping up ball carriers. Recovery tactics are sometimes chaotic when Bryant fears he’s lost complete leverage, especially when shook early in the route. Often opens up too early in the play, delaying his pursuit to quick-hitters. Struggles to promptly detach himself from blockers.
Final Word: Overshadowed by the impressive resume of Ahmad Gardner, Bryant ended a strong five-year career at Cincinnati in emphatic fashion with national recognition. He is a cornerback that plays bigger than his frame, fusing precise coverage technique with noteworthy ball skills that draw a stark parallel to Marcus Peters. Bryant will draw plenty of suitors in the second round that will grow to admire his scheme versatility and competitiveness.
Fit Likelihood: High
Grade: 2nd
Film Highlights
Bryant deployed as an outside blitzer to thwart the run game.
Another example of Marcus Freeman using CB Coby Bryant to help in the run game from the boundary. pic.twitter.com/3HkGkNznTh
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) February 23, 2021
Ball skills, field vision, and burst to shutter the throw window on this red zone interception from Bryant.
Really impressive RZ INT from @GoBearcatsFB CB Coby Bryant
One of the best cover CBs when the field shrinks in the class… Fights for space, tough at catch point, finds the ball and will come up and tackle when tested!
Tons of production on the ball with 10 INTs and 37 PBUs pic.twitter.com/npIPItrGAv
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 27, 2022
