Junior who has declared for the 2015 NFL draft.
Positives: Adequate height and bulk for the position. Generally very good hands and concentration – looks passes in, extends well and consistently. Good and consistent concentration in traffic and on contested passes, and will hold the ball even when he knows a big hit is coming. Generally reliable punt return fielding hands. Runs with above-average speed and accelerates well enough for his size after cuts – making for effective double moves when running routes. Above-average vision and lateral quickness for yards after the catch and to sidestep the first tackler on punt returns. After the catch, he runs with pretty good body lean to stay strong after the catch. Also uses an effective stiff arm to keep tacklers away from him and fight through contact. Smart kick return fielding decisions, and lets ball bounce out of bounds. Gets good separation on deep routes. Is willing to lower his shoulder to drive through defensive backs at the end of plays. Is very aware of where the first down marker is and will tiptoe down the sidelines to get the first down. Has improved his downfield blocking over his college career and is now very solid.
Negatives: Suspect route running, and rounds them off consistently – though he has the quickness to correct this. Will drop some punts on occasion when he looks upfield before securing the ball. Though he usually comes down with passes, he also seems to double-clutch a lot of them and have some trouble when he has to lay out for passes. Dislocated middle finger at Combine.
Projection: Round 2. I look at him as a larger version of 2014 draftee out of USC Marqise Lee without the injury history. Can contribute as both a receiver and returner right away, and could be a solid WR2 and potential low-end WR1 in time.