pick 142 – CB DeCobie Durant

22. COBIE DURANT | South Carolina State 5095 | 180 lbs. | rSR. Lamar, S.C. (Lamar) 2/9/1998 (age 24.22) #14
BACKGROUND: Decobie “Cobie” Durant grew up in the small town of Lamar, S.C., (an hour east of Columbia) and was a multi-sport athlete at Lamar High. A three year varsity letterman, he played several positions, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety and cornerback. As a senior, Durant led Lamar to an 11-3 record and the 2015 Class A Division II state championship. Playing primarily quarterback and safety, he finished his senior year with 621 passing yards, 603 rushingyards and 19 total touchdowns (12 rushing, seven passing), adding 50 tackles and four interceptions on defense to earn all-state and all-region honors. Durant also lettered in baseball, basketball and track.

A no-star athlete out of high school, Durant wasn’t ranked by recruiting services and didn’t have any offers (didn’t qualify academically). He signed with Palmetto Prep Academy for the 2016 season but didn’t stay  long. After sitting out the 2017 season, Durant received a preferred walk-on spot at South Carolina State in 2018 and was put on scholarship in spring 2019. His three cousins, whom he considers brothers, all played college football: Michael Hamlin was a safety at Clemson and fifth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, playing three seasons in the NFL; Markee and Marquais Hamlin were defensive backs at South Carolina State.

Durant graduated with his degree in physical activity management. He accepted his invitation to the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl.

YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT NOTES
2016: Palmetto Prep Academy
2017: Out of football
2018: (10/7) 38 0.0 0.0 0 5 2
2019: (11/11) 35 4.0 0.0 0 15 3 Second Team All-MEAC; Led team in PD, INTs
2020: (4/4) 8 1.0 0.0 0 9 4 First Team All-MEAC; Led team in PD, INTs
2021: (12/12) 38 2.0 1.0 0 15 3 MEAC Defensive POY; First Team All-MEAC; Led team in PD, INTs
Total: (37/34) 119 7.0 1.0 0 44 12
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 5095 180 30 3/4 8 3/4 72 3/4 4.38 2.55 1.52 – – – – – (runs and position drills only – choice)
PRO DAY 5095 183 30 3/8 8 1/2 72 5/8 – – – 36 9’9” 4.40 7.02 11 (stood on Combine runs)

STRENGTHS: Above-average athlete with the footwork and fluidity to make sudden stops in man coverage … can run with anyone downfield and his timed speedmatches his field speed … stays composed in his bump-and-run movements … low pedal and hips to quickly plant and drive … more times than not, his eyes are in theright place … offensive background with outstanding ball skills to find the football … corralled 12 career interceptions (two vs. Clemson in 2021) … stings in run
support and doesn’t back down as a tackler … carries himself with the confidence to play on an island … highly productive college résumé.

WEAKNESSES: Undersized with below-average height, build and length … quick to react, but his route anticipation needs to improve … NFL scouts are worried how hewill match up vs. NFL size and strength at receiver … will make early contact, especially when he loses body position downfield … physical player, but it comes at acost (had a pass-interference or defensive holding penalty on four of the 2021 tapes studied) … needs to be more aggressive with his block shedding … was primarilyan outside corner on tape and doesn’t have ideal experience in the slot … older prospect and recently turned 24 … most of his experience is against FCS competition.

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at South Carolina State, Durant was the boundary cornerback in defensive coordinator Jonathan Saxon’s scheme. A former walk-on,he followed in the footsteps of former Bulldogs such as Javon Hargrave and Darius Leonard and was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, finishing his career with 44 passes defended and 12 interceptions in 37 career games. Durant is a scrappy player with the springy athleticism and speed to pattern match in man or drive on throws in zone. He faces a steep learning curve vs. NFL talent and gave up a touchdown on the 2021 Clemson tape, but he also recorded four passes defended and two interceptions in that game. Overall, Durant needs to improve his anticipation and can be outmuscled by size at the catch point, but he has the mirroring athleticism and innate ball skills that are NFL-worthy. He creates flashbacks of Buster Skrine as a prospect and owns the talent to carve out a similar NFL career.

GRADE: 5th Round

• This topic was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by JackPMiller.
• This topic was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by JackPMiller.