Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 192 pounds
School: Utah Utes
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds (fifth-best among safeties)
Bench press: 20 reps (fourth-best among safeties)
Vertical jump: 33.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches
Terrell Burgess 2020 NFL Draft Profile
Terrell Burgess spent his first three seasons at Utah waiting for his turn to start. As a senior in 2019, he earned the chance to start and made the most of the opportunity. He had 81 tackles on the season, intercepted one pass and recovered a pair of fumbles. He also was able to earn half a sack playing from the safety position. During the Pac-12 championship game against Oregon, he had a solid game with twelve tackles, in a losing effort.
Burgess was a three-star recruit out of San Marcos High School. He received all-conference honors as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. He also was known as a track star, running a career-best 11.14 in the 100-yard dash. After several offers to play division one football, he opted to take his talents to Salt Lake City and play for the University of Utah. In his freshman year, he played limited roles on both defense and at wide receiver. He also returned three kickoffs. He committed to one side of the ball, opting to play defense and started as a senior. Burgess was also an honor student at San Marcos High.
Burgess excelled at Utah and in 2019 and put himself on the radar of potential NFL teams. He played at the Senior Bowl and impressed coaches with his coverage abilities and his ability to tackle. He has the kind of coverage skills and tackling ability that makes him a definite prospect at the next level. Burgess ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, ranking second among safeties.
Strengths
- has tremendous coverage skills for a safety;
- a very steady tackler will take down larger ball-carriers;
- has much higher than average football IQ;
- he has good burst and reaches top speed quickly;
- versatility in the secondary can play corner or safety.
Weaknesses
- lacks length and can be beaten by larger receivers;
- he has not shown the ability to close on and intercept the football;
- only started one year in college, could be a lack of experience;
- his disappeared for stretches during games;
- just an overall lack of on-ball skills.
NFL Comparison: Damarious Randall
Teams With Need at Position: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins
Projection: third to fifth round
Bottom Line
Terrell Burgess did all he could in 2019 to put himself on the map for NFL teams looking to draft a talented safety. He’s a good athlete and is a solid tackler. He has shown an ability to tackle larger ball-carriers in the open field. He has great football IQ and has played both safety and cornerback in his career. He’s a versatile, talented football player who has only two real concerns. His on-ball skills and his length. He has struggled against larger wideouts and tight ends in coverage.
