When I saw this I was like oh wow somebody finally found out how good Diamond Ferri is!
Scouting report from Scout.com:
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 223 40: 4.69 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Two-year starter and All-Conference selection as a senior after posting 99/4/6. Also third on the team in rushing last season with 29/173/2. Set a Syracuse single season record for tackles by a defensive back as a junior with 120. Left the team in 2002 for personal reasons after playing running back the prior two years.
Positives: Explosive prospect with a good amount of upside for the next level. Quick reading or diagnosing the action, displays a burst of closing speed and not afraid to jump into the mix. Can backpedal and fluid moving in reverse. Fast laterally, possesses solid cover skills and the ability to stay with receivers out from breaks. Has enough speed to recover on plays. Displays a good move on the ball. Flashes on the scene and possesses a good deal of suddenness.
Negatives: Does not always take the best angles in center field and occasionally bites on receivers moves in man coverage. Gets tall tackling.
Analysis: A safety with a well-rounded game, Ferri is tough defending the run, yet also displays solid skills in pass coverage. Not as tall as many want in a true free safety, yet his ball skills and willingness to mix it up is very tough to overlook. One of the hidden values in this draft and a prospect who can be very productive at the next level.
As opposed to the overrated (IMO)Brimmer:
Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 216 40: 4.92 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Three-year starter who made spot appearances with the first team as a freshman. All- Conference selection the past two-years, most recently totaling 82/1/5 as a senior. Posted a career-high 100 tackles as a sophomore.
Positives: Aggressive, run-defending safety with the ability to play in zone. Explosive up the field supporting the run, defends screen plays and works to make positive things happen. Adequate backpedaling in reverse, displays a burst of closing speed and effective facing the quarterback. Fast off the edge on blitzes. Squares into tackles and wraps up.
Negatives: Best playing between the numbers and usually a half step late to the flanks in coverage. Struggles in man-to-man situations. More of a chaser rather than a defender who diagnoses the action.
Analysis: A nice-sized safety with growth potential, Brimmer has the mentality and physical skills to play up in the box. Best defending the run, he displays adequate skills covering the pass in a small area and looks best suited for a two deep system.
