Prince Amukamara   Position: CB School: Nebraska Height: 6’0" Weight: 206 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: 4.43 All-Star Game: None Team Captain: 2010 Draft Projection: Top 10 Pick

Summary

Prince Amukamara came into his senior campaign at Nebraska ranked as one of the top defensive backs in football. Although he didn’t record an interception this year, he was only thrown at 52 times the entire year (and only 18th of those were completed, 35%). Amukamara is a physical cornerback with a lot of upside that will likely see himself selected in the first 10 picks of the draft. There are some who think he would be more successful at safety, but we think his best fit is at corner.

Ball Skills

Prince’s ball skills have been questioned as he didn’t record an interception in the 2010 season. This probably has more to due with a lack of opportunities more than anything else. Amukamara isn’t a ballhawk, but he’s more than capable of making a play on the ball.

Man Coverage

Most of Nebraska’s defense is man coverage based because they get constant pressure with their front 7. Prince excels in man-man and is great at sticking with his guy as the play develops. This is possibly Prince’s greatest attribute and will really help his transition to the NFL.

Zone Coverage

Amukamara doesn’t have as much experience in zone as some other corners in the draft, but that could be because he was left on an island to cover his man so often. He does display the basic read and react skills necessary to be a zone player, though, and is good at tackling in open space which is necessary for a zone player.

Tackling

He displays sound tackling technique and a willingness to make a tackle.

Run Support

Prince is a very solid run defender. He’s a good tackler who isn’t afraid to be physical and is big enough to handle tackling bigger running backs.

Hips/Lateral Movement

This is an area were Amukamara is only average/slightly above average in comparison to his peers at the position. He is a little slower changing directions than you would like to see, but he has sound “flip and run” technique with his hips to turn and run with a receiver. This area is a reason that some believe he may be best suited as a safety.

Size, Speed, Strength & Agility

Prince has a perfect blend of size and speed for a cornerback in the NFL. Big enough to handle the physical possession receivers, and fast enough to handle the speedy playmakers. He looks very fluid when he runs, although his straight line speed isn’t elite.

Additional Information

Amukamara didn’t miss any games due to injury in his career. He started a total of 31 games over his career. The immediate assumption that he would make a better Safety than Corner due to his size and physicality is a bit unwarranted seeing as how he played mostly man-man defense at corner and shined in that role.

Academics

Was a Political Science major, and was named to an Honor Roll in 2007.

Awards & Honors

2010: 1st Team All-American. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (coaches). Finalist for Jim Thorpe Award. 1st Team All-Big 12. Brook Berringer Citizenship Award.
2009: 2nd Team All-Big 12.

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