The 2019 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. The Game Haus will be doing scouting reports on some of the top prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft. Penn State cornerback Amani Oruwariye has played extremely well over the last two seasons and is now a pro prospect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqjAAjdKfH4
Background
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt Senior
2018 stats: 50 total tackles, one tackle for loss, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, one forced fumble
Size: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Oruwariye was a three-star prospect heading into college, but through his solid play has worked his way up draft boards over the last few seasons. He is now going to be one of the first 10 players selected at his position in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In his first season on campus, Oruwariye redshirted. He then got limited playing time through the next two seasons at Penn State. His redshirt junior season was when Oruwariye really shined through. He had four interceptions and seven passes defended, which helped him make the All-Big Ten Second Team. As a senior, Oruwariye had three interceptions and 11 passes defended while making the All-Big Ten First Team. Penn State posted a 38-15 record in his four seasons of playing, which includes a win in the Fiesta Bowl.
He has helped James Franklin take Penn State’s program back to a high level of play over the last few seasons. Now, he should expect to be selected no later than the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Strengths
Oruwariye has great size and length for a cornerback at the NFL level. At 6-foot-2 and 31 3/8 inch arms, Oruwariye will be able to match up with the biggest receivers in the league at a decent level. His length should allow him to develop into a good zone corner or a good press man corner if not both.
He has great awareness that he specifically uses well in zone coverage. Oruwariye can read what is going on in a play then go do what is necessary to get a stop. His ability to know where to be on the field, mostly in zone coverage, allows him to not give up many big plays.
His zone coverage will make him enticing to teams that like to run a lot of zone. With great awareness and length at hand he fits the mold of exactly what teams are looking for in zone corners. He also uses his eyes very well which is something zone corners need to do in order to be great.
Weaknesses
While he is good in zone, he isn’t as experienced in man coverage. He is able to cover decently in man and match up with bigger targets, but will not be great at it. If he gets matched up with shifty receivers, he could be beat, especially if he doesn’t get his hands on them early in press coverage. Trailing receivers around the field is not his strong suit.
Oruwariye is also not a great tackler, which limits his ability to help against the run, as well as his ability to stop receivers if they do catch the ball on him. For his size, he needs to show better technique and a willingness to hit players to really reach his potential.
His speed and agility will also be tested in the NFL. He did run a solid 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which is good for his size, but he still could have trouble against speedy receivers. If receivers run good routes, they can get him off balance and he won’t be able to catch up through the play.
Projected Draft Range: Second round-Third round
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