Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 205 pounds
School: Penn State Nittany Lions
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds
Bench press: 17 reps (tied for fifth-best among cornerbacks)
Vertical jump: 36.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
Three-cone drill: 6.82 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.16 seconds
Amani Oruwariye 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Four-year Penn State cornerback Amani Oruwariye enters the 2019 NFL Draft on the heels of a fantastic 2018 season. Starting in 13 games for the Nittany Lions, Oruwariye recorded 50 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defended. His impressive play earned him First-Team All-Big Ten honors while his passes defended and interceptions led the team.
Even though 2018 was Oruwariye’s first year as a starter, the Penn State product made a big name for himself as a junior. Oruwariye showed great instincts and a nose for the ball in 2017, recording four interceptions and defending seven passes in just 11 games played off the bench. Despite never starting a game, Oruwariye still managed to earn Second-Team All-Big 10 honors during his junior season.
Oruwariye didn’t see the field much in either of his first two seasons, although he made the team as a true freshman. Through the first two years of his collegiate career, Oruwariye recorded a combined 28 tackles, one interception, and two passes defended in 14 games played.
In total, Oruwariye ended his college career with 106 games, eight interceptions, and 20 passes defended. The reigning First-Team All-Big Ten cornerback dramatically improved his stock over the past two seasons and played in a Bowl Game every year of his career with the Nittany Lions.
Strengths
- massive size and strength make him excel in press coverage;
- collected footwork provides great balance with minimal wasted motion;
- can play in both man and zone schemes;
- strong eye for the football with above average football IQ;
- breaks up jump balls more often than not;
- plays with his size and demonstrates fantastic physicality at the line.
Weaknesses
- lacks elite speed and ability to recover once beat;
- only started one year in college;
- raw technique;
- stiff hips lead to struggles covering shiftier receivers;
- isn’t afraid to play the run but tackling ability leaves a lot be desired;
- perimeter cornerback who would not do well if forced into the slot.
NFL Comparison: Byron Maxwell
Teams With a Need: Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts
Projection: Rounds two to three
Bottom Line
Depending on where he lands, Oruwariye has a chance to be a productive corner right out of the gate. His elite size and strength make him ideal for covering larger receivers and he has the collegiate history of success. His ball skills are especially impressive for a player of his size, and his ability to play zone and man coverage only adds to the value.
While he has a lot of positives, there are a few weaknesses to his game. Players of his size typically lack elite speed, and Oruwariye is no exception. The 6’2” cornerback struggles to recover when beaten off the line and his lack of lateral agility makes it difficult for him to follow shiftier receivers in coverage.
Oruwariye is only a one-year starter, so it’s entirely possible that the cornerback develops better agility and speed at the NFL level. If he does that, he’ll have a chance to be a full-time outside cornerback. However, in the short term, Oruwariye can be a great CB3 on the outside. He’s probably not ready to shut down Julio Jones all by himself, but he should hold his own at the NFL level.
