Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports
Bradley Roby – Ohio State
Height: 5011
Weight: 192
Age when drafted: 21
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
Position: CB
Collegiate Number: 1
Combine notables: N/A
Games Viewed: 2012 – Miami (OH), Cal, Michigan State, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan
BACKGROUND:
Bradley Roby played his high school ball at Peachtree Ridge high school. After being a lightly recruited prospect with three-star evaluations from most major recruiting publications, Roby signed with the Buckeyes as a receiver/defensive back.
After redshirting in 2010, Roby emerged as a starter during his redshirt freshman season. Roby would pick off three passes in 2011 and emerge as the next in a long line of great OSU DB’s. Roby wouldn’t disappoint in 2012 as he finished with two interceptions and broke seventeen passes.
Roby contemplated entering the 2013 NFL Draft as a third-year sophomore but opted to return for his junior season. Roby has went on the record, saying 2013 would be his final in Columbus.
SIZE/ ATHLETICISM:
With teams looking for corners over 6-feet tall, Roby is going to fall short of that standard at barely 5-foot-11. Roby’s frame is well put together with solid musculature throughout his upper and lower half. At 192 pounds, Roby has the bulk to take on ball carriers in the open field and the strength to shed blocks.
As an athlete, there may not be a better cornerback in college football. Roby will vie for the rights to the fastest corner in the draft. Roby could break 4.40 in the 40 yard dash but more impressive is his fluid hips and ability to transition and break on the ball. Roby makes up for his 5’11 frame with excellent leaping ability.
WHAT HE DOES WELL:
Bradley Roby is a guy that teams have to account for on every pass play. His ability to close on the football is second to none in the collegiate game. The most obvious thing that stands out on tape is his speed. He’s an effortless mover with loose hips and the closing ability of some of the tops in the game.
Roby’s backpedal technique is a thing of beauty. Young corners are taught to stay in the backpedal as long as possible and Roby seemingly could out-backpedal most receivers ability to climb vertically. This gives him a major advantage as he’s able to read and react with his eyes facing the action.
Roby is never caught flat-footed through his break. Very rare that he wastes steps in his break as he keeps his feet firing through the break and his explosiveness takes over to plant and drive on the ball.
Roby’s a confident guy with a short memory and has been lauded by the OSU coaching staff for his film study, work ethic, and leadership. Roby’s tenacious style of play will endhere him to NFL scouts. He’s a guy that plays (and excels) on OSU special teams units and is a consummate ball hawk. If Roby can’t make the interception, he’s going to go for the ball or disrupt the catch in some form or facet. His two-interception 2012 season isn’t indicative of his playmaking ability. Not even his 17 passes defended do justice to his ability to disrupt the offensive flow. His knack for finding the football is going to play well at the next level and should make him a highly sought after cornerback prospect in 2014.
WHAT HE NEEDS TO WORK ON:
It’s tough to find negatives in Roby’s game. If there’s one thing that stands out as a negative, it’s that he will get caught watching the action of the play and lose his assignment on occasion. He can sometimes play over-aggressively – making him susceptible for double moves – but with his speed it’s often a non-factor as he can close in a heartbeat.
Roby won’t be challenged much this season, so it will be difficult for him to put up numbers. I suspect his 2013 season to not look great on paper – leaving him a forgotten man in the media. Don’t get fooled, this is the best corner in college football and it isn’t close..
RED FLAGS:
Lost a game to a shoulder injury in 2012 and sat out the spring game. That said, he was a full participant at practices I attended this spring and looks great.
OVERALL:
Bradley Roby is a special player at a premium position in today’s league. Roby’s combination of speed, athleticism, and ball skills will make him a highly sought after CB in next May’s draft.
The upside with Roby is through the roof and I think he could be a top five corner when it’s all said and done. The downside with Roby is that he isn’t over 6-feet tall and at times will lose his assignment with his eyes in the backfield. Outside of those two negatives, it’s tough to find holes in his game. Ohio State plays a variety of coverages and he’s equally adept in man and zone coverage – haven’t seen him press much but he’s physical and tenacious style of play should allow him to excel in press coverage.
I fully expect Roby to emerge into one of the ‘elite’ prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft. He could be in the class of five or six prospects behind Jadeveon Clowney and Teddy Bridgewater in this draft. He’s a top ten talent that could find his way into the top five when it’s all said and done.
VIDEO LINKS: Miami (OH), Cal, Michigan State, Penn State, Nebraska
