Teams like the Florida Gators, LSU Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Alabama Crimson Tide among others have been in the argument for “DBU”, but one team that has been quietly producing defensive back prospects in recent years is the TCU Horned Frogs. Head coach Gary Patterson is one of the better defensive minds in all of college football and has done a great job developing talent in the secondary and preparing them for the NFL and this year is no different. Despite his size, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is one of the more talented cornerback prospects in this upcoming draft. On talent alone, he is worth a top 50 pick in next year’s draft, but his lack of size (5-foot-9, 177-pounds) could cause him to fall in the draft, as well as pushing him inside to the nickel spot.
Strengths:
- Quick feet
- Eyes in man coverage
- Silky smooth hips, can unlock them with ease
- Good angles from off-coverage when attacking in/out breaking routes
- Quality tackler for his size
- Keeping his hips square at the LoS
- Hits ball carrier in their thighs to take out their center of gravity
- Can run vertical with anyone
- Route anticipation from off-coverage
- Closing/recovery speed
- Aggressive at the catch point
- Ball skills, ability to play the ball in the air and through WR’s hands
- Getting hands on WRs at the top of their routes without impeding
Weaknesses:
- Size will likely push him inside to nickel in the NFL
- Feet have a tendency to get outside of his frame causing him to slip
- Lacks reps in press coverage
- Can have issues affecting the catch point when receivers can shield him off due to his lack of length
- Will bounce off bigger ball carriers due to his size
2021 Season Statistics:
14 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 26 total tackles, 0 interceptions, and 13 pass deflections in 7 games played
Preliminary Round Grade:
7.13 – Second Round Grade