NFL Draft Profile: Alontae Taylor, Cornerback, Tennessee Volunteers

NFL draft profile scouting report for Tennessee cornerback, Alontae Taylor

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#2
Pos: CB
Ht: 6001
Wt: 199
Hand: 0918
Arm: 3228
Wing: 7500
40: 4.36
Vertical: 34.5
Broad Jump: 1008
DOB: 12/3/98
Eligible: 2022
Manchester, TN
Coffee County Central High School

Alontae Taylor
Tennessee Volunteers

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Pros:

Outside cornerback who possesses good length. Taylor is deployed in press, off man and a variation of zone coverages. He has above-average speed, allowing him to carry most wideouts vertically. Confidence in off is apparent as he stays square and does not get turned easily. Taylor thrives in press coverage, where he has a very powerful strike to disrupt and redirect receivers at the line of scrimmage. Despite landing his blow, he stays composed and on balance. Taylor squeezes vertical routes to the sideline effectively. Excellent mental alertness, processing and high energy allow him to recognize plays and routes early and make plays on them. His length allows him to break up passes from behind. Taylor turns for the ball if he is in position to do so. He baits quarterbacks in zone coverage. Getting in the face of receivers and feisty play in general shows that he has the mentality to succeed in the NFL. In the run game, his competitiveness and effort are outstanding, coming downhill aggressively and showing an appetite for physical tackling, stopping the momentum of ball carriers. 

Cons:

Taylor’s weight is below average. His twitch and first-step explosiveness are below average to poor, causing him to allow separation on sudden breaks. He takes the occasional false step which he struggles to recover from. The feisty nature he plays with gets the better of Taylor when he is too grabby. At times, he is not under control at the catch point and takes poor angles due to him playing too fast. 

Summary:

Wiry cornerback with good length and very good physicality in press and the run game. Taylor possesses excellent competitive toughness, processing and mental alertness, allowing him to anticipate routes and be a difference-maker in run support. His close-quarter quickness and explosiveness are below average. Taylor projects as a quality backup in a press bail scheme who has the intelligence and physicality to be a good starter early in his career. He will be a very good special teamer immediately. 

Background: 

Raised in Winchester, Tennessee, moved to Manchester, Tennessee in fourth grade. Born on December 3, 1998. Four-star recruit according to 247Sports. Full name is Alontae Devaun Taylor. Has two sisters. Names his late grandmother as his biggest motivator. Dreams of visiting Africa. Roommate is safety Trevon Flowers. Grew up playing baseball and football, focussing solely on football after his freshman season in high school. Was a dynamic quarterback at Coffee County High School, totalling 8,225 yards of total offense and 75 touchdowns. Enrolled early and began his career at wide receiver. Started eight games as a true freshman. Played in eight games despite battling a nagging hamstring injury in 2020. Was selected to the SEC Football Leadership Council in 2020 by his peers. Communications studies major. Academic standout. Did not transfer like many of his peers, citing his passion for the Tennessee programm. 

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One-Liners

Wiry cornerback with excellent length, competitive toughness and mental alertness. Taylor projects as an early starter and could turn into a very good one if he can play under control consistently in coverage.

Grades

3rd Round

12/2 - NFL Draft: Alontae Taylor Declares - Update On Foot Injury