Prospect Profile: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Evaluation

Range

There is a high baseline to his range because of his ridiculous athleticism but it’s affected significantly by his processing and technique in coverage. Firstly, he is not the quickest to react in passing situations from the deep Safety position. He doesn’t read the Quarterback or route progressions at a high level. He does a solid job of reading receivers when locked up in man coverage but he cannot periph receivers when he’s in Zone and can’t cope when teams attack him with scheme. Having said that, his processing is adequate and showed signs of improvement while still being inconsistent over the course of his final season. His main challenge for maximizing his range is his transition and drive mechanics which are lacking. His backpedal choppy and looks like he’s riding a bike backwards that isn’t in gear. He is stiff-hipped, and his feet alternate clacking together and being too far apart in transitions from his backpedal. He isn’t efficient with his movement and when driving off his back foot, he takes too many steps and runs around his plant foot. All of this shows up when covering from the Safety position against deep and intermediate routes. He is far more effective when he’s able to make one turn and run, giving up some separation but he can quickly recover with his athleticism.

Taking Away Targets

He is generally better in man coverage on shorter routes when he comes down to cover in the slot, than he is at the Safety position. He can match angles in press with his foot speed and covers anything underneath with speed to take away a target. He can stay in phase on more hard-angle routes underneath because of his elite explosion. When in man coverage against intermediate routes his explosion helps keep him close but his technique and hip fluidity deficiency keep him from being truly in phase. For instance on square cuts he won’t take a 90 degree angle when the receiver makes their cut, bowing his path slightly to allow enough separation for the QB to target the receiver. This deficiency takes away his reach advantage at the catch-point. Can cover any longer developing routes down the field because of his speed.

Making a Play on the Ball

His ball skills are good when he is close enough to make a play and he takes full advantage of his length and athleticism because of good technique in a change-up from the rest of his game. He has good timing and accuracy when attempting to break up passes and his wingspan helps him to make catches extremely difficult for the receiver when he’s in phase.

Defending the Run and Tackling

When he’s in the box, he can take on blockers with his hands, including Offensive Linemen, hold up at the point of attack and work off his block into either gap to make a play on the ball carrier. When he’s tackling a runner in traffic, he hits hard and with good wrap-up technique against all types of ball carrier. You can see him read the run quickly and make plays in the backfield, but it isn’t consistent and he can gamble on this and lose. When he’s more tentative, it puts him at a disadvantage. He’s unsure of his run entry angles in this scenario and doesn’t flow through traffic effectively, often taking friendly fire from teammates trying to make plays or catching a stray from an Offensive Lineman that he doesn’t see coming. His late reactions can also hurt him when positioning for tackles. In open spaces, he doesn’t come under control well and he isn’t able to take advantage of his outstanding length and explosion to be a good open-field tackler. Even those with less athleticism than him can beat him with change of direction or run around him, he must take better angles to the ball carrier.

Ravens Draft Pick Comp
Miles Boykin if he played safety.

PRODUCTION 
Final year on campus: 90 To. Tackles, 4 INT, 3 PBU
Injury: SO: Missed 1 game with hamstring injury.

RAVENS FIT
Expl. Athleticism 5
Ftbl Intelligence 2
Versatility 4
Grit 45
Scheme 4