Cory Trice Jr. NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6′-3″
Weight: 206 pounds
School: Purdue
2023 NFL Draft: Cory Trice Jr. Scouting Report
Cory Trice’s first season in the Hoosier State was in 2018. In that season, Trice appeared in one game for the Boilermakers, recording one solo tackle. In his second season in West Lafayette, Trice was moved from safety to cornerback. Trice appeared in 11 of 12 games while making five starts at his new position. For that 2019 season, Trice had his highest college career total of tackles, 35 (29 solo, six assisted), while intercepting three passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He also defended against one pass.
In the Covid-19 shortened season, in which Purdue played a total of six games, Trice started all six, racking up 32 tackles (28 solo, four assisted) while also defending against two passes. Trice hardly saw the field in 2021, as injuries limited him to just two games; Trice recorded four solo tackles total in those two contests. In his final season as a Boilermaker, in 2022, Trice appeared in 13 of the Boilermakers 14 games, recording 34 tackles (28 solo, six assisted), while intercepting two passes (one for a pick-six), and recording a college career high of 10 passes defended against.
Strengths
- Above average NFL cornerback height (6′-3″);
- Has the ability to alter route running, to stick with the receiver, when necessary;
- Uses body to limit space receiver has to make a catch, especially near the sidelines;
- Gets off of blocks with ease;
- Has unexpected footwork biomechanics.
Weaknesses
- If beaten by a receiver, lacks make-up speed to catch up to them;
- Core biomechanics are shoddy, especially his hips;
- Lacks tenacity and physicality in run defense;
- Anticipates routes; anticipates incorrectly and gives up completions;
- Knee injury in 2021 caused him to miss the final 11 games of the season.
NFL Comparison: Benjamin St-Juste
Teams With Need At Position: Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders
Projection: Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line on Cory Trice Jr.
Cory Trice Jr. has one quality that cannot be taught: size. When he is drafted, he will be tied with four other players as the second-tallest cornerback in the league. For his size, he is capable of staying with his receiver, even in altered routes. Trice has great spatial awareness and uses his big frame to limit the space the receiver has to make a catch, especially near the sidelines. He slides off blocks like water and has very impressive footwork for a taller cornerback.
Teams will no doubt question the severity of his knee injury in 2021, which caused him to miss 11 of Purdue’s games. Trice will need to refine his hip biomechanics in order to thrive in the NFL, which likely should not be a huge issue. Trice will also need to up his aggression and physicality, especially when it comes to the run game. He will also need to recognize that he simply cannot anticipate what he thinks the receiver will do because while it was a problem at Purdue, it will be a significantly larger issue at the NFL level if he cannot resolve it.
All in all, Trice will be selected in Kansas City in a couple of weeks, just based on his height, alone as the latest trend in the NFL is taller cornerbacks to counter the tall quarterback and receiver influx that has been occurring. Look for Trice to be taken in either round three or four.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
