2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Julius Brents (CB – Kansas State)

With the NFL season in the rearview mirror, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Julius Brents.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Julius Brents (CB – Kansas St.)

Julius Brents (CB – Kansas St.)

6’3” – 202 lbs.

Background:

Originally attended Iowa, where he started five games as a freshman, totaling 363 snaps on the season and allowing just 10/22 passes to be completed when targeted. Was forced to redshirt in 2019 after sustaining a knee injury, then played just 105 snaps in the shortened 2020 season before transferring to the Wildcats and stepping into the starting lineup, allowing 30/47 passing for 306 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, breaking up two throws. Had a strong senior season in which only 24/52 targets were completed for 374 yards, three touchdowns, four interceptions, and three breakups.

Positives:

Massive cornerback with an incredible wingspan measuring just under 83”, and with over two years of starting experience in a major conference, lining up on both sides of the field, typically but not always on the short side, primarily in press-man. Active pre-snap communicator. Has surprisingly good coordination and quick feet for a player his size, doing a good job of matching releases at the line from press. Knows how to leverage his size to pin opponents to the boundary. Smooth athlete with the speed to carry opponents down the sidelines from man. Uses his length well to feel routes developing and stay connected. Disciplined with his eyes. Shows the ability to process route combinations from zone. Willing to stick his nose in and get physical in the run game, with effective wrap tackling technique; diagnoses run plays quickly and gets involved.

Negatives:

Can get caught up in congestion, leading to easy completions. Looks more comfortable defending against outside releases, with some balance issues and drift at the top of routes breaking toward the middle of the field. Was somewhat penalty-prone this past season, being flagged six times; gets grabby too often when working in man, leading to holding calls. Can be slightly early to initiate contact when going for the breakup. Ability to locate when targeted downfield is inconsistent. Would like to see him clean up his technique when taking on blocks, getting more consistent arm extension to lock out opponents in order to maximize his length advantage. Functional strength in his lower body needs further development.

Summary:

A very tall, lanky cornerback who knows how to use his length effectively and whose quickness and coordination are better than usual for a cornerback with his size, but who will need to better harness his physicality in order to avoid penalties at the next level. Size and talent are rare enough that it would be surprising if he slipped out of the second day.

Projection: Round 2-3