2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Chris L. Rucker (CLR) #29

 Expectation: Starting CB (BC)  Height:  6’2”  Weight: 201#  2010 Eligibility: Senior  EXP: Three Letters  Status: Starting

 

Chris L. Rucker will hear his name called in the 2011 NFL draft. Photo courtesy of MSU SID

Expectation:Â Starting CB (BC)

 

Height:  6’2”

 

Weight:Â 201#

 

2010 Eligibility:Â Senior

 

EXP:Â Three Letters

 

Status:Â Starting BC

 

Strengths: Rucker has good skills as a DB. A great example of his skills comes from the Purdue game. On the very first play from scrimmage of the game there was a fumble on the QB/RB exchange. CLR was out in coverage, kept his head up, read the error, accelerated and picked up the fumble. He promptly returned it for a TD.

 

What was lost in the excitement of an early defensive TD was the read by CLR, the acceleration, and the athleticism to make the play. CLR has the skill sets to be an All Big Ten player. When he struggles it is never about talent, it is about confidence. He has great QBs and WRs going against him at all times. They will make plays. Every great CB gives up plays; it is a matter controlling them. Rucker has the talent.

 

The hardest part about being a CB is possessing the talent. CLR has the talent and that is more than half the battle.

 

Weakness: At the 5:17 point in the first quarter against Montana State, the Bobcats had a first and ten at the MSU 42. CLR was blitzing on the play. He was excited to make a sack and he showed that he was coming. Essentially, he tried to cheat on the blitz. The Montana State QB saw CLR was cheating, made the read and threw a quick pass to avoid the blitz.

 

CLR is very talented. He can’t afford to take shortcuts. In high school he could, but at this level when you are the best CB on the team QBs are watching you. When CLR tries to cut a corner it is seen. 

 

The same is true for when he makes mistakes. He can’t let the previous play hurt him and often it will. CLR sets his own ceiling. He can be as good as he mentally allows himself.

 

Final Analysis: Spartan fans are shocked when I tell them that my NFL contacts rant and rave over CLR. They also look at me like I am crazy when I say barring an injury or complete collapse that CLR will get drafted in the 2011 NFL draft.

 

One head coach the Spartans faced told me this before their game against MSU last year. “That 29 is a ball player. If you can get something on him early you need to keep going back. He gets real down on himself. If he could learn to play the game and not against himself he could be great and he already is a pretty D***good corner.”

 

CLR is the best CB on the field and coming into his senior campaign it should be his best. He has NFL talent and will have his best season in 2010. 

 

Next up is WR/KR/PR Keshawn Martin.