| Tavon Wilson Scouting Report |
| Tavon Wilson - Illinois (HT: 6-1 - WT: 205) |
Positives -- Good size and build for safety at the NFL level with good top-end speed... He ran a 4.50-40 at the Illinois pro day, would have tied him for first among all safeties at the combine... Excels in the run game from the secondary, attacks the action with a purpose; shows better explosion versus
the run than pass, not afraid to stick his nose in the pile to make plays... Not afraid to lay his shoulder into ball carriers and is a hard hitter, can separate his opponent from the football and make some big plays for the defense... Played two seasons for the Illini at cornerback, but lacked the athleticism and speed to stick there in the NFL; the move to safety was good for him, his speed is average for a corner but excellent for a free safety... Great special teams player, can serve as a gunner on special teams units as well... Was named the team's most outstanding defensive back at the annual postseason banquet... Has started all 25 consecutive games for the Illini over the past two seasons.
Negatives -- Needs to improve his footwork, looks slow in and out of his breaks; lacks suddenness and explosion when he plants and goes, has trouble closing down tight spaces... Plays stiff and has a difficult time turning and getting on top of routes, doesn't look like a 4.50-40 guy on film; doesn't possess that quick first step you would like to see from an NFL free safety, range is limited, has trouble covering from sideline to sideline... Needs to work on hand placement in coverage, has the tendency to grab rather than punching and redirecting receivers... Play recognition skills also need to improve, doesn't always read the play correctly; instincts are below average... Doesn't break down particularly well and can be taken advantage of in one on one situations in the open field... Throws his shoulder too much rather than wrapping up and is prone to missed tackles... Overall game needs improvement, had good numbers at the Illinois pro day but looks like more of an undrafted free agent on tape.
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At Illinois -- (Official School Bio) 2010: All-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches and media)... Named team's Outstanding Defensive Back at annual postseason banquet... Illinois' honoree for Big Ten Sportsmanship Award... Started all 13 games at safety... Had 48 tackles on the season along with 2.0 TFL, a team-high eight PBUs, one interception and two fumble recoveries... Secured seven tackles and one PBU in Texas Bowl win over Baylor... Recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFLs and one PBU against Minnesota... Recorded first interception of 2010 and two tackles in win over Indiana... Posted four tackles and one PBU in win at Penn State... Tallied seven tackles against Ohio State... Had two tackles, a PBU and a fumble recovery against Northern Illinois... Had a career-best three PBUs and recorded five tackles in win over Southern Illinois... Tallied first career fumble recovery, along with four tackles in season-opener against Missouri... Moved to safety before 2010 season after playing his first two seasons at cornerback... Preseason fourth-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. 2009: Started all 12 games, finishing third on the team with 74 tackles and leading the team with seven passes broken up... Recorded seven solo tackles, including one for loss, in the season finale against Fresno State... Posted five tackles, including one for loss, and a pass break up against No. 5 Cincinnati... Was second on the team with 11 tackles, including a career-best 10 solo stops, against Northwestern.
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