Virginia State cornerback Willie Drew is one among two HBCU prospects taking part within the 2024 NFL Mix and the 2023 CIAA Defensive Participant of the Yr put up some spectacular numbers within the 40-yard sprint and 10-yard cut up.
The Smithfield, Virginia native had what CBS Sports activities analyst Emory Hunt known as, “Two glorious runs.”
On the primary try, Drew ran an unofficial 40-yard sprint time of 4.48, then backed it up by shaving .2 seconds from his time and recording an official 4.46 with a 1.49-second 10-yard cut up.
The ten-yard cut up is a measure of a participant’s explosiveness off the road of scrimmage, and the report for the quickest time is held by DK Metcalf who posted a time of 1.45 seconds over the primary 10 yards of his 40-yard dash.
Drew’s 40-time of 4.46 ranks thirteenth out of the 29 cornerbacks who ran the 40-yard sprint on the mix and his 10-yard cut up was tied for third quickest within the place group.
The NFL.com prospect tracker has Drew with a 5.95 prospect grade that has him listed as an “Common Backup Or Particular-Teamer” and the NFL Subsequent-Gen State Rating Breakdown has his 2024 Mix CB Rank at twenty sixth.
Willie Drew will nonetheless have a steep hill to climb as a Division II HBCU soccer participant, however he proved that he has legit NFL velocity and elite burst inside a gifted group of corners out there within the 20324 NFL Draft.
Under is the draft evaluation for Virginia State cornerback Willie from NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein on NFL.com
Overview
Rangy cornerback whose size typically makes up for a scarcity of play power when it’s time to problem the 50/50 ball. Drew mirrors the discharge with accuracy from press and has the fluidity and agility to maneuver naturally across the subject from a backpedal. He performed in opposition to a decrease stage of competitors, however his ball expertise are translatable at a better stage. He’s instinctive pre-throw and aggressive on the catch level with pure arms to flip the sphere on interceptions. Drew might want to enhance his play power and show he can run with vertical challengers, however he has the instruments to make it within the league.
Strengths
Premium ball manufacturing with heaping quantities of takeaways and breakups.
Bends and slides simply to match and sluggish receiver’s launch from press.
Athlete with agile toes and easy lateral actions from his pedal.
Tracks and assaults the deep throw with above-average accuracy.
Decrease-body twitch to shut shortly and squeeze throwing home windows.
Weaknesses
Will be overtaken by measurement and energy from press.
Small hitch in his hip flip to show and dash with deep targets.
Slight stall to plant and drive from the highest of his drop.
Must turn out to be extra proactive in attacking run blocks.
