Ted Ginn - Impresses in April Sprint Workout Ginn's Yearbook Scouting Report
Submitted by frank coyle on Thu, 04/12/2007 - 11:21am. NFL Draft Prospects
NFL.com Gil Brandt reported on Ted Ginn's brief workout at Ohio. St.
He did not run at the Combine or OSU's Pro Day -- worked out on campus before representatives of most of the NFL teams. He ran his 40s in 4.38, 4.44 and 4.45 seconds. He ran no shuttles and did no jumps, and because of his sore foot, stopped running routes after doing about 20 of them. Three head coaches were there: Scott Linehan (Rams), Marvin Lewis (Bengals) and Cam Cameron (Dolphins). Also there were Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller and Rams vice president for player personnel Tony Softli.
Actual Scouting Report in Draft Insiders' Yearbook
2. * Ted Ginn #7 - 5’11†180 lbs. - Ohio St. - Sp. 4.35 Rating 94
Electrifying all purpose junior performer is one of the most explosive playmakers from the college ranks to enter the NFL early in the past two decades. Ted is a fast junior receiver/return specialist who shows explosiveness after he gets his hands on the ball whether in the pass or return game to change games instantly. He is one of the best playmakers in recent memory whose development progressed nicely over his career. He is both fast and quick with the rare explosive burst to separate easily and be dangerous from anywhere on the field. He possesses fine hands with the speed to get deep and hit the home run regularly and the excellent running skills after he gets his hands on the ball to pressure the defense. He has made big plays since this inaugural season flashing the rare explosiveness to be dangerous every time he touches the ball. He shows all the components to become a huge NFL star, speed, quickness, hands, great vision and the natural running skills to strike from anywhere. After his true year season, he declared for the NFL Draft ’07, completing his college stay with a kickoff return for a TD on the last play of his career. It was the opening kickoff of the national championship game vs Florida and the only time Ohio St. held the lead in the contest. He has fine hands and will make the difficult catch regularly, showing the ability to adjust quickly to the errant pass. He runs precise sound routes, though his ability to go over the middle is an area that needs work to be a complete pro receiver. He has top speed to get deep and hit the home run regularly and displayed this more consistently over his late career. He has the rare burst of speed to separate and get open in the deep game, as well as taking the short hitch pass and hitting the seam to break a big play. His excellent running skills after the catch will warrant a very early selection. He is especially dangerous on the shorter routes to take the play the distance and is ideally suited for the West Coast offenses. His ability to find the end zone and run after the catch ability will make him a top commodity in April with virtually every club looking for playmakers. On the deep pass, he has developed good instincts tracking and the body control and hands to make the big play. He shows the ability to track the ball with the savvy to lean and push off to make the big play. He needs some development in his route running and recognizing defenses quicker, but he is capable of helping an offense immediately as a rookie. His speed off the line puts him in a position to challenge corners easily and makes him a difficult match up, especially in man situations Over his career, he pressured defenses with his speed and demanded special attention weekly. He needs some strength development to fill out as an athlete. As a collegian, he was rarely tested with the bump and run and must prove he can beat that technique to become an accomplished pro receiver. He is very fast in his routes with the ability to retain that speed exceptionally well in his patterns and create consistent separate from coverage.
The Numbers: As a junior, he started 13 games and caught 59 passes for 781 yards and 9 TDs for an 13.2 yard average per catch that earned him first team Big Ten honors. As a sophomore, he caught 51 passes for 803 yards, a 15.7 yard average per catch and 4 TDs while adding another TD as a runner, punt and kickoff returner. As a freshman, he caught 25 passes for 359 yards and 2 TDs for a 14.4 yard average while playing opposite Santonio Holmes for the first time. He also scored 4 TDs on PR while averaging an amazing 25.6 yards per return. His presence in the return game changed kicking strategy of opponents that gave Ohio St. consistently great field position. At the NFL Combine, he did not workout and came in 5’11 and 178 lbs. At the OSU workout, he did not run.
The Skinny: Dynamic playmaker with the talent to change a game with one play. He should have major impact in the return game and most likely as a rookie. He is the best return specialist I have ever scouted which includes this past year’s rookie sensation Devin Hester who Draft Insiders rated the top returner in the past decade. As a receiver, he has become one of the better deep threats in the country over the past three seasons, displaying the special burst of speed to get behind the secondary and hit the home run. He is smooth and very quick into his routes and cuts with the ability to create consistent separation in his patterns. His release off the line of scrimmage is very good and he eats up the corner’s cushion fast with the ability to retain his speed in his breaks. He needs work on his strength and hand use to better fight off the bump-and-run from physical cornerbacks. Over his career, he has been used as a return specialist, combining both elusiveness and the rare sudden speed to challenge for playing time in those roles as a pro. He needs some strength development to fill out further, though he is a wiry athlete who has proven to be durable as a collegian. He has a nose for the end zone and has produced vs. a high level of competition where he defied double coverage situations at times. He needs to continue to develop the ability to set up corners in coverage by using an array of moves to create separation. He is similar to current NFL star wideouts Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt in size, athleticism and big play ability but not in current level of development as a receiver. He is a fine receiver who is ready for to fill the slot receiver role now, though he needs only minor refinement in his overall strength and recognition skills to be a starting receiver. Top 10 player and an excellent addition to a passing and return game. Teams like the Texans, Vikings and 49ers have on their short list for the 1st round. Spectacular playmaker with all talent to become a biggest impact performer in this class and an NFL star with minor development where he should be a quick study. Future Pro Bowl performer.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
