It didn’t take long for former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. to get the reputation of the defensive back opposing quarterbacks didn’t want to throw against in college.
He put receivers on an island and racked up back-to-back All-ACC awards in the process. The Minnesota Vikings knew exactly who they were getting when they moved up to No. 42 in the second round to select Booth at the 2022 NFL draft.
They are getting a dogged defensive back capable of keeping the top on the defense. According to Pro Football Focus, Booth hasn’t given up a 20-plus yard catch in his last 334 snaps on the football field.
The Minnesota Vikings pick Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr. at No. 42 overall.
334 snaps without giving up a catch on a 20+ yard throw 🐅 pic.twitter.com/gH65BHVBP6
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 29, 2022
The man was putting receivers on ice at Clemson.
How will that translate over to the next level in the NFL, especially with other young and talented rookies joining the Vikings’ in-division rivals? It’ll be interesting, to say the least.
Jameson Williams was taken by the Detroit Lions, and Christian Watson will now be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
But to be a player with Booth’s immense talent and lucky enough to fall to a team with a future Hall of Famer in Patrick Peterson playing the same position is a luxury few are afforded.
It’s only fitting that he hits the ground running.
