Scouting the NFL Draft: TCU WR Jeremy Kerley
by Wade Perry
Posted April 26, 2011 9:49 pm
FinestPreps.com has kicked off its 2011 NFL Draft coverage with a bang and we are here to keep the train rolling!
NFL Draft writer Brian Vornberg is back yet again with some of his expert analysis!
Who’s the latest prospect you should watch out for in the 2011 NFL Draft?
That would be none other than Texas Christian’s dynamic playmaker of a wide receiver, Jeremy Kerley.
Over the past few seasons, Kerley established himself as not only one of college football’s premiere wide receivers but one of its dynamic return specialists as well.
Blessed with a deadly combination of speed and acceleration, Kerley tormented special teams units across the country over the past couple of seasons.
The 5’10”, 189 pounder made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic return men in the country–both on punt returns and kick returns.
In 2009, Kerley hauled in 44 catches for 532 yards (12. 1 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. He also had 39 punt returns for 563 yards (14.4 yards per return), including touchdown returns of 71 and 69 yards. Kerley also racked up 479 kick returns yards on 18 attempts (26.6 yards per return).
In 2010, Kerley was a vital piece in leading his TCU Horned Frogs to an undefeated season and a Rose Bowl victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. He hauled in 56 catches for 575 yards (10.3 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns. He also racked up 527 kick return yards on 19 attempts (27.7 yards per return). As a punt returner, he sliced and diced his way through defenses for 388 punt return yards on 30 attempts.
A dynamic playmker with the ball in his hands, Kerley also had five rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Horned Frogs.
Below is Brian Vornberg’s analysis of the fleet-footed superstar.
Jeremy Kerley–WR/KR/PR–TCU–5’10”, 189 lbs.
This is one of the quickest players you’ll find in this year’s draft. Surely he will get dropped by some teams because of his height and lack of top-end speed but he possesses rare quickness in and out of his breaks during his super smooth, crisp routes. His quickness, fluidity, and agility allow him to be an elusive runner and rack up a ton of yards after the catch (YAC). Kerley’s hands are not large but they are soft and allow him to catch the ball cleanly. This combination of route running and “sticky” hands will allow him to be an ideal slot receiver at the next level. Kerley is explosive off the line of scrimmage and is very shifty in the open field which whill make it hard for would-be tacklers to get their hands on him. Although Kerley lacks the strength and leaping ability to be an elite red zone threat in the NFL, his precise, quick routes and natural hands will allow him to be an ideal third down receiver. He’s someone that teams will be able to count on in clutch situations. He also adds great value as a return man on special teams.
Reminds me of: Davone Bess–WR–Miami Dolphins
Brian Vornberg is a contributing writer for FinestPreps.com. He can bea reached by e-mail at brianvornberg75@gmail.com. All comments and feedback are welcome.
Check out the highlights of Jeremy Kerley below!