Leodis McKelvin, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Cornerback Height: 5' 10" Weight: 190 lbs. Speed: 4.38 (official combine) Senior Troy Scouting Report by Daryl Breault

            One of the most electrifying return men and cornerbacks in the nation over the last 4 years, McKelvin has stormed up draft boards after an All-Sun Belt 1^st team 2007.  The senior from Troy finished the season with 60 tackles and 2 INT.  He led the Sun Belt conference in punt returns with 436 yards and 3 TD and amassed a school record 765 kickoff return yards.  He tied the Division 1-A record with 8 total return TD while setting the collegiate records for total returns (211) and total kick return yards (3,817).  As a return man, McKelvin has had a prolific career.

            As a corner, McKelvin is a work in progress.  He has incredible athletic abilities, but right now, his impact will be as a return man, not a corner.  That’s not to say he wont one day be a good corner, with a little work on his technique and awareness he should develop into a starter.  He is as fast as a deer and is real tough, showing a fearlessness in his returns and in run support.  He’s not the strongest tackler and sometimes fails to wrap up, but with a little time in the weight room he should be able to more easily latch on to bigger running backs and receivers.  He doesn’t always haul in interceptions and drops a few too many.  He can make the acrobatic catch but drops some easy ones. 

            McKelvin is a gambler who got lucky sometimes playing in a weaker conference.  His numbers on the ball could have been a little better (22 PBU and 4 INT) though he was only a two-year starter on defense.  More experience at a higher level of competition will help develop his ball skills and recognition as tends to keep his eyes in the backfield long and can be slow picking up a receiver’s route.  He’s been beaten deep a few times but shows the memory loss needed to play the position. 

            With his athletic ability and speed, it’s easy to see him locking down receivers in the NFL.  Few guys will run away from him and he has great burst to recover and close.  He has a smooth hip turn but has kinks in his backpedal.  He’s stayed remarkably healthy throughout his career at Troy, something that stands out for scouts as a return man.  Murphy’s Law says he’s due but you can’t knock him for that.  He is a pretty reliable tackler and a willing run defender.  McKelvin has generated 5 forced fumbles in his career.

            Based on his abilities as a return man alone he warrants 1^st round consideration but he has to get better at playing the ball.  I think the top 10 is a little high for him but a team may bite on his potential.  Whether he realizes that potential depends on his ability to build strength, smooth out his backpedal and get a feel for his gambling habits.  By all accounts McKelvin is a hard worker and a good kid who puts in the time and effort, there’s no reason he wont be able to fix his few flaws.  He will get on the field as a return man, that is without doubt, but he should be able to compete for the nickel role to start.  That is where he might be best suited in the pros but he could emerge as a starter thanks to his ability to stick with receivers in man.  He is better suited to a man scheme and would look great as a Patriot, Eagle, Cowboy or Cardinal.

            One of the best senior corners in the draft, McKelvin could go anywhere from the top 10 to late 1^st round and will be very appealing thanks to his ability to generate offense on special teams. McKelvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Antoine Cason and Mike Jenkins are the top four seniors. Overall (including juniors) there will be six or maybe even seven corners (including McKelvin) fighting it out to be the first cornerback selected in the 2008 NFL Draft: Aqib Talib, Antoine Cason, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Mike Jenkins, Justin King and Brandon Flowers and even Reggie Smith unless he (Smith) is drafted to play safety.