Every year scouts get the joy of watching hundreds of prospects, critiquing every single trait that each player brings to the table. Every so often a scout may identify a prospect as “their guy.”
Well, I just may have found “my guy” for the 2020 NFL Draft; his name is Noah Igbinoghene, cornerback from Auburn University.
Igbinoghene has had quite the start to his college career. A son of two Olympic track runners, Igbinoghene started his college career as a budding receiver for the Tigers. After just over a year, Igbinoghene made the switch to corner. With blazing speed, the transition seemed to make logical sense, and it has helped Igbinoghene develop into a potential Day 2 selection come April.
At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Igbinoghene has solid size to go with his elite track speed. With plenty of room to grow and impressive athleticism, I wouldn’t be surprised if Igbinoghene goes early in the second round with a solid combine showing.
I mentioned Igbinoghene’s elite speed. Well, he certainly used it well against Alabama, blanketing future first-round receiver DeVonta Smith. Smith is an impressive athlete in his own right, however, in their match-up, Igbinoghene was all over the star receiver. With fluid hips, Igbinoghene mirrored Smith beautifully in the play below and allowed little room to even breathe, forcing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to go elsewhere with the ball.
Igbinoghene is twitched up man. Flips the hips and goes here at the bottom of the screen. DeVonta Smith is electric, but he’s been all over him. pic.twitter.com/1veQ1piVr6
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 28, 2020
This was just one of a series of impressive plays from Igbinoghene against Alabama. In fact, when watching his tape against the Crimson Tide, it will leave many to wonder why Igbinoghene as yet to receive attention from the big-name scouts and national media as a Top-5 cornerback in this class.
In the same game, Igbinoghene was lined up in the slot with Alabama speedster, Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs is rumored to run in the 4.2s in the 40-yard dash; against Igbinoghene on this play, however, he failed to create much separation. Igbinoghene played through the catch-point, forcing an incompletion on what easily could have been six points.
Noah Igbinoghene locking up Ruggs in the slot at the bottom of the screen. Tight coverage forces a perfect throw and catch, but his ability to play through the ball at the catch point gets him the PBU. pic.twitter.com/Il8YnQoYWo
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 28, 2020
Something Igbinoghene also utilizes to perfection is the sideline. Igbinoghene understands that the sideline is a 12th defender of the defense and squeezes receivers out of the field of play. This shrinks the window of opportunity for a completed pass. Against Minnesota in the Outback Bowl, Igbinoghene put this on display beautifully.
With all the news of recent declarations, one I missed was Auburn's CB Noah Igbinoghene. Very impressed thus far into his tape. Good size and ridiculous speed. Here's one of the few times he was tested vs Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/98gManwpTM
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) January 14, 2020
Igbinoghene is still very new to the cornerback position and is very much in the process of getting accustomed to the technicalities of the position. While some may notice he only brought in one interception, his ball skills will not be a concern as the former receiver was able to break up 18 balls in his two years of play.
Scouts would like to see Igbinoghene be a little more physical, and he can be a bit handsy at times, however, his ceiling and Olympic athlete bloodlines could convince teams to spend a high pick on the Auburn cornerback. That especially could be the case if he runs in the 4.2s come later this month in Indianapolis.
The Jaguars don’t necessarily need a cornerback in this upcoming draft, with Tre Herndon’s quality play over the back-half of the season. However, if Dave Caldwell and company believe Igbinoghene can develop into a long-term starter at the position, he may just be too good to pass up if he is on the board at pick No. 42. Maybe later his stock will start to increase, but presently, it appears Igbinoghene is not getting the attention he deserves.