Every NFL team loves to have big, physical corners who have the skill set and mentality it takes to dominante at the line of scrimmage and down the field.
That should have all 32 teams clamoring to add Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler in the 2020 NFL Draft.
One of this year’s top corner prospects, Dantzler recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his physical playing style, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: You progressed in a big way throughout your career. How do you look back on your time at Mississippi State?
CD: I had such a great time there. I played for so many great coaches. I played for two great defensive coordinators in coach [Bob] Shoop and coach [Todd] Grantham. My position coach, Terrell Buckley is a phenomenal coach. He taught me a lot about about playing the position and football in general. My football IQ took a big step forward thanks to him. He taught me a lot about life off the field as well.
JM: Coach Terrell Buckley has such a great reputation. He was a terrific player in college, and in the NFL, as well. By all accounts, he’s a tremendous position coach. How did he help you develop as a cornerback?
CD: It was such a blessing to have him in my corner. When he talks about football, it’s always about the little things. He basically molded me into the player that I am today. I went from playing quarterback in high school to playing cornerback in the SEC. That was a big change for me. He took everything day-by-day with me. He slowed down the process for me. I can’t thank him enough for that. He’s the reason I am who I am today.
JM: Was the transition from quarterback to cornerback a difficult one for you?
CD: It was definitely a big change for me. Having a great position coach like Terrell Buckley made the world of a difference for me. He made everything easier. He taught me the technique and basic fundamentals of playing the cornerback position. Luckily for me, I’m a quick learner when it comes to football. Combine that with having such a great coach, it made a big transition as smooth as possible for me. I was already a great athlete. I felt like I could make the transition to any position if we all came together and put our minds to it. That’s exactly what we did. It worked out perfectly.
JM: What can you tell me about the scheme that you guys ran on defense and what your coaches asked of you?
CD: I had three different defensive coordinators throughout my time at Mississippi State. We did a lot of different things within our scheme. I’ve played man coverage, I’ve played Cover-2 and Cover-3. We had so many variations of our blitz packages. I’ve seen so many different schemes and coverages. It gave me a chance to show what I can do in all of those schemes. It improved my understanding of the game. I’ve been battle tested and I’m ready for what’s next.
JM: Is there a scheme or coverage that you thrived in maybe moreso than the others? Something that you’d be a little more comfortable stepping into as a rookie?
CD: Man-to-man coverage. I just love to get into a receiver’s face. I love man coverage because that man across from me is my responsibility and I have to stick to him. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
JM: You love to get your hands on a receiver at the line of scrimmage. Where did you get that aggressive mentality from?
CD: I feel like that aggression comes from the fact that I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder. I was always the smallest guy on the field. I’m used to being the underdog out there. I’ve always felt like I had to prove what I could do. That’s the reason I play so physical with these receivers. I still have that chip on my shoulder today. I’m still that same aggressive cornerback. I’m very confident in my abilities.
JM: You had some great battles this year. Which matchups were your favorites?
CD: Ja’Marr Chase was a good match-up for me. I played against so many great receivers. No. 14 from Kentucky [Kalil Branham] was a big, physical receiver. I can’t remember his name but he was a big guy. He played some basketball as well. He loved those jump-ball situations and he was very aggressive. Those are the two match-ups that come to mind.
JM: It’s interesting that you mentioned Ja’Marr Chase. I thought he had his worst game of the season against you.
CD: I agree with that. I think every receiver I covered had their worst game of 2019 against me. There wasn’t a single receiver that put up a 50-yard game against me. Truthfully, I’ve never given up a 50-yard game throughout my entire time at Mississippi State. I tried to show what I could do on a weekly basis.
JM: Do you approach a smaller, shiftier receiver any differently than you do a bigger, more physical one?
CD: No, I really don’t, to be honest with you. I’m very confident in my abilities. I play every receiver the exact same way. Some cornerbacks may disagree with my method, but I believe that you have to be patient with everybody you cover. You have to use your hands and be physical. At the end of the day, you have to believe in yourself. I take that same approach with every receiver I’m matched up with.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the cornerback position?
CD: I love having all of that pressure on me. It’s me against you and I can’t get beat deep. I can’t give up a big play. We have a lot of responsibility in that aspect. The receiver lined up across from me is trying to beat me and my team is depending on me to not let that happen. I love the challenge that comes with it.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
CD: It was a great experience. It gave me a chance to meet with so many different coaches. They gave me a sneak peek into their defenses and we jumped on the white board together. It was a lot of fun. The combine brings together the best college athletes from all over the country. I enjoyed interacting with every single one of those guys. It was a great experience.
JM: Taking every aspect of the combine into account, what do you feel is the overall impression you left out there?
CD: I left an impression that I understand football at a high level. I have a great feel for the game. I have a very high football IQ. I’m passionate and confident in what I can do. Whichever team drafts me is gonna get a winner.
JM: A lot of people saw the video of your Pro Day. You were able to bring your 40-yard dash time of 4.64 at the combine down down to a 4.38 at the Pro Day. What lead to such a drastic change in that number?
CD: I was dealing with a hamstring injury at the combine. I don’t like to make excuses, though. When the lights come on, I love to compete. A lot of guys wouldn’t have gone out there and competed with what I was dealing with. I felt like I was there for a purpose and I decided to compete. I just went out there and tried to make the best of it. I didn’t run the 40 time that I expected to run. Nobody expected me to run what I did. I just kept my head up and remained humble and hungry. I knew that I would get a chance to improve on that number at my pro day. I put on a show at my pro day.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in before the spread of COVID-19 shut everything down?
CD: I unfortunately did not. All of my private visits and workouts were set to go down sometime in April. We obviously didn’t make it that far. My pro day at Mississippi State got canceled, and we had to start adapting and moving everything to the phones.
JM: Which teams have you met with via FaceTime and such?
CD: I’ve met with 16 teams so far. I have the whole list right here for you. I met with the Patriots, Lions, Titans, Jets, Vikings, Chiefs, Browns, Bears, Seahawks, Eagles, Broncos, Ravens, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Chargers and 49ers. I’ve been keeping a list of every team I’ve met with. That’s the entire list right there. I like to keep notes from each meeting. I’ve enjoyed talking ball with every one of those teams.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
CD: I didn’t get asked any strange questions. I tried to take over every room I stepped into. I just wanted to show every team that I know football. I wanted to stand up and immediately hop on the white board. I was telling them what the coverage on the board was. I felt like a teacher out there (laughs). I tried to command the room. I took over the room and wanted to talk about football for hours. I really wanted my football IQ to take over.
JM: When a team spends a draft pick on Cameron Dantzler, what kind of guy are they getting?
CD: They’re getting a winner, first and foremost. I’m gonna bring a confident swagger to the locker room. I’m an energetic guy and I’m always trying to pick up my teammates. I’m a confident cornerback with a winner’s mentality. I’m gonna give it my all.
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