The 2021 College Football season isn’t going the way that Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had imagined it would. That much is clear at this point. However, the program has tons of talent across their depth chart. Perhaps their top talent is junior cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., who is predicted to be drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. As explained in this scouting report, Andrew Booth Jr. isn’t just one of the top corners in this upcoming draft class, but he’s also one of the best corners in the country.
Be sure to follow NFL Draft Lounge for more scouting report coverage, as well as more on Andrew Booth Jr. As always, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Andrew Booth Jr 40 Time
I have Andrew Booth Jr. currently slated to post a low 4.4 40 time. As someone that’s watched plenty of his game film, I’d be surprised if it’s anything slower than 4.45. Booth plays with tremendous explosiveness and burst. However, I’m concerned with his top end speed and ability to remain with receivers on long deep routes. As a result of this, I believe that NFL scouts will be focus on his 10-yard split when compared to the rest of Andrew Booth Jr.’s 40 time.
Andrew Booth Jr Injury History
Andrew Booth Jr. doesn’t have a clear injury history. Following the 2019 season, he required surgery for a torn patellar tendon. However, he was ready for the season opener against Wake Forest. Last season, Andrew Booth Jr. added to his injury history as he missed several games due to nagging injuries. This season, Booth Jr. missed the Syracuse game due to a hamstring sprain.
Andrew Booth Jr Scouting Report
Pros
- Good Ability To Tackle Ball Carriers In The Open-Field
- Excellent Range To Attack The Ball From Deep In Coverage
- Very Good Skills Downfield To Disrupt Catch
Cons
- Top End Speed On Long Routes Downfield
- Ball Tracking And Disruption Can Be Inconsistent When Trailing WR
- Adequate Ability To Stay In Tight Coverage On Intermediate Comeback Routes
Andrew Booth Jr is a three-year player for Clemson. Typically plays on an island out in space with little-to-no help above from the safety. Booth has good speed for the position, especially on short and intermediate routes. He’s a sure-fire tackler in the open-field, and does an even better job of shedding blocks at the point of attack. Has very good to elite-level range for the cornerback position. He’s capable of diagnosing plays very quickly, which puts him in a position to make a play behind the line of scrimmage quite often.
Additionally, he’s also able to pressure the quarterback on rollouts when he has safety help over the top or is in zone coverage. At the point of attack, he does a tremendous job of using his hands and body to disrupt the catch. If the ball is thrown or run to the opposite side of the field, Booth Jr does a great job of taking efficient angles to keep the play in front of him.
On the other side, Andrew Booth Jr has adequate speed downfield to remain with receivers on deeper routes. When he is trailing a WR, there is a slight tendency to panic when it comes to tracking the ball over his shoulder. Furthermore, he can have inconsistent use of hands at the catch point to disrupt the completed catch. Finally, he can struggle to remain in close quarters with the receiver on short and intermediate comeback and out routes.
Andrew Booth Jr NFL Draft Prediction
Currently, I have Andrew Booth Jr listed as my third cornerback overall. In addition to that, he’s also my 16th overall prospect. If he does declare for the 2022 NFL Draft, which I expect that he will, then I believe that Andrew Booth Jr is likely to be drafted in the top 20 picks in the first round.
NFL front offices will be paying attention to the injury history for Booth Jr, given that he’s missed quite a few games throughout his collegiate career. In addition to the medicals, NFL scouts might also be paying special attention to his on-field drills at the NFL Combine.
Andrew Booth Jr is a very good cornerback that is capable of being left on an island and holding his own in coverage. A potential fit in the NFL will be a franchise that has a critical need in the secondary. I believe that he’s capable of playing the corner position from day one with little-to-no help needed. Furthermore, as outlined in this scouting report, I don’t see Andrew Booth Jr beginning as a nickel corner, but rather is capable of lining up against an offense’s top wideout.
