Scouting Report: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 200 40: 4.49

Strengths: I love his size for a corner. Plays physical. He has very fluid hips and has great change of direction speed. Tremendous agility. Comes up fast for run support; very aggressive for a corner. Picks up an awful lot of tackles for a corner. Shows good awareness and football IQ. Able to recognize receiver routes; which shows that he has spent time in the film room. This also shows good work ethic. Uses his hands well to break up passes and make INTs. Looks very comfortable in man to man coverage. Has pretty good footwork and balance. He is a playmaker.

Weaknesses: Although great at run support; he needs to learn to pursue the play under control. If he doesn't, it is easy to juke him out. Needs to be a better tackler overall (he is inconsistent). He occasionally tries to tackle high against RB's; that will not work in the NFL. Does not have elite speed. I have seen him bite on some double moves, and he does not have the speed to catch up to the receiver. This will often result in him getting beat or drawing a penalty. He needs to work on his back pedal; he stands too tall and that makes him slower and allows the receiver to get by him. He needs to work on pressing the receiver at the line. I think it will take some time for him to adjust in the NFL.

Summary: Amukamara is entering only his second year of full time starting, but he has been playing for the Cornhuskers defense since he was a freshman. A converted RB, Amukamara is considered one of the best CB prospects in the 2011 NFL draft, following what many call a break out junior season. His size and physical play is what he is known for; but during this season many scouts will be monitoring how well he is going to improve from last year. Sights are set high for Amukamara, and if he can deliver another solid season and improve on what he did last year, he could go high in the 2011 NFL draft.

Draft Projection: 1^st round