Derek Stingley Jr. could be a top-five draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is undeniably one of the more impressive defensive players we’ve seen on a college football field in quite a while.
At the cornerback position, it is becoming more imperative each and every year that teams at the NFL level find a lockdown cornerback in the NFL Draft. Derek Stingley Jr. has all the rare traits you look for in a top cornerback, and much more.
Can Stingley Jr. have an elite finish to his collegiate career in his upcoming junior season?
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LSU Tigers Head Coach Ed Orgeron had high praise for Derek Stingley Jr. in an interview recently:
“He comes in with a smile every day, working hard, breaking up balls, passes, interceptions.” Head coach Orgeron says.
“The thing I like about him is the leadership. He’s stepping up and saying things and leading by example.”
Coach O has spring practice update No. 4 with @emilyvdixon pic.twitter.com/d7UrlqirY1
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) April 8, 2021
When evaluating college football prospects prior to the NFL Draft, teams look at traits, athletic ability, measurements, and much more. Teams also interview players and look for traits that are not shown on tape, or on the football field.
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Teams look for traits within a player. Teams look for mental toughness, leadership, ability to overcome adversity, passion and drive to improve as both a football player and person.
Derek Stingley Jr. could be a top-five pick in the 2022 NFL Draft if everything we’re seeing from him on the field and hearing about him off the field continues.
In the 2019 season, Stingley Jr. had 31 solo tackles, 38 total tackles, one fumble recovery, and six interceptions.
Stingley Jr. finished last season with 19 solo tackles, 27 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and five passes defended over seven total games.
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In what’s projected to be his final season at LSU, expect Stingley Jr. to continue being a force for the LSU defense.
And most notably above all else, based on how his head coach feels about him, expect Stingley Jr. to rise up and continue to be a genuine leader for the LSU Tigers.
On and off the football field.
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