NFL Draft Profile: Jermaine Waller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech Hokies

NFL draft profile scouting report for Virginia Tech cornerback, Jermaine Waller

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#2
Pos: CB
Ht: 6000
Wt: 180
Hand: 0900
Arm: 3118
Wing: 7448
40: 4.68
DOB: 11/3/_
Eligible: 2022
Washington, D.C.
Avalon School

Jermaine Waller
Virginia Tech Hokies

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One-Liner:

The weaknesses and lack of consistent play outweigh the positives with Waller, making him just a developmental prospect.

Pros:

On film, Waller displays solid man coverage skills on short and intermediate routes. He stays on receivers hip pockets and has the movement skills to prevent wideouts from creating separation against him. As a tackler, when given the opportunity, Waller does a solid job wrapping up. He is willing in the run game and is a physical player.

Cons:

There is a lack of understanding of the position with Waller. He has no feel in zone coverage and is often out of place. Better quarterbacks took advantage of him in zone coverage consistently. Waller doesn’t know where to be and often left receivers open as a zone defender. In man to man coverage downfield, Waller’s below-average speed was evident. Wideouts with speed have the ability to consistently beat Waller downfield on vertical routes. He gave up a lot of separation on vertical routes. Downfield, Waller can’t track the football. He rarely turned his head around and often would just put his hands on receivers, leading to penalties. Waller struggles to backpedal and looks uncomfortable in that regard. There is a little tightness in his hips. It isn’t a main concern, but at times, Waller struggled to change direction when in man coverage against quicker receivers.

Summary:

There are flashes on Waller’s film, but he is just wildly inconsistent. Waller isn’t fast or overly athletic. That in combination with his lack of feel for the cornerback position, leads to him giving up a number of big plays downfield. Better quarterbacks targeted and took advantage of Waller’s weaknesses. He is a practice squad talent, who can be a developmental prospect, if he improves on the mental side of football. 

Background:

Jermaine Waller was born in Washington D.C. He is the son of Sharron Waller and Vincent Hunnicutt and has two sisters. He played high school football at the Avalon School, after starting his career at Archbishop Carroll. 247sports had Waller as a three-star recruit, and he chose Virginia Tech over Virginia, NC State, and Maryland. As a freshman, Waller burned his redshirt, playing in all 12 games for the Hokies. Waller had seven tackles and one pass deflection on the season. Waller made ten starts and played in all 13 games, as a sophomore. He had 46 tackles, three interceptions and ten pass breakups. He was All-ACC Honorable Mention for his play. Waller only played in two games as a junior in 2020, as he dealt with a foot injury and eventually had surgery on it. Waller bounced back as a senior, starting all 11 games for Virginia Tech. Waller put up 46 tackles, four interceptions, and five pass breakups. For his efforts on the season, Waller was invited and accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl.

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Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

5.8/6.2

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