Marcus Gilchrist Scouting Report
Marcus Gilchrist
Marcus Gilchrist - Clemson (HT: 5-10 - WT: 195)
Combine 40: 4.51 - Position Rank: 11 of 45


Positives: Adequate speed... Average height and weight, but appears to have solid frame, big enough to make plays in run coverage... Strong upper body, put up 26 reps of 225 pounds at the combine... Exceptional tackling statistics in 2009 before his move from strong safety to cornerback for the 2010 season (96 total, 53 solo, one sack and three forced fumbles)... Durability is not an issue, has not missed a single game due to injury... Is a versatile player who has the potential to play multiple positions in an NFL secondary, has experience at cornerback and both safety positions... Above-average run defender, is very tough for his size, is not afraid to initiate contact with larger backs... Is a solid zone defender, appears to be at his best when he can use his instincts and awareness to key in on quarterbacks... Has above-average kick return skills, was a solid replacement for C.J. Spiller in 2010, averaged 23.3 yards per kick return... Is an intelligent football player, knows his assignments and puts in a lot of time in the film room.

Negatives: Is just not a big playmaker, did not intercept a pass in his first three years at Clemson, misses a lot of opportunities when the ball is in the air... Takes a lot of false steps, especially when playing off his receiver, loses a step in his backpedal as a result... Shows stiff hips at times, does not come out of breaks very quickly in man coverage... Appears to be best suited in zone coverage or covering slot receivers in man-to-man, needs to polish up footwork and learn to play with looser hips... Plays with much too high of a backpedal at times, lifts up off the snap, which often results in sloppy footwork in the backpedal... Instincts in coverage are average at best, often takes too long to close in when the ball is in the air... Will probably be a better fit at safety than corner in the NFL, will be a project if he is to start at corner in the near future.

    Defense
Season Team   TOT SOL AST TFL SK FF INT BK TD
  191 110 81 6 3 1 0 0
2007 Clemson   18 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008 Clemson   17 7 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 Clemson   96 53 43 3 1 3 0 0 0
2010 Clemson   60 37 23 3 ½ 0 1 0 0





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*Cameron Newton
QB, Auburn
Von Miller
LB, Texas A&M;
*Marcell Dareus
DE, Alabama
*A.J. Green
WR, Georgia
*Patrick Peterson
CB, LSU
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