If you think size matters at the cornerback position, you’d better steer clear of TCU’s Jeff Gladney.
Opposing wide receivers across the country have found out the hard way that you shouldn’t underestimate Gladney, one of the top corner prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Gladney recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his impressive career with the Horned Frogs, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and why he’s ready to make a big impact at the next level.
JM: Your production increased with each season in your career, as did the accolades. How do you look back on your time spent at TCU?
JG: I had a great time at TCU. I enjoyed playing for defensive coordinator [Chad] Glasgow, my position coach [Jeremy Modkins] and [head coach] Gary Patterson. I trusted the process and showed improvement on a yearly basis. It paid off for me.
JM: You had 26 pass deflections over the last two seasons. What is it about your game that allows you to be around the ball so often?
JG: I credit that to my quick feet. I also have great instincts around the ball. I know where the ball is at all times. I’m a ball-hawk out there.
JM: You mentioned a few of your coaches. What did you guys run on defense, and what did they ask of you?
JG: We played a lot of man coverage. We predominantly became a man coverage team. The coaches decided to make that change. That’s how I became so good in man coverage.
JM: How can that help you make a smooth transition to the next level?
JG: A lot of NFL teams run man coverage. I’m ready for that. I know that I’ll be well prepared for that. Don’t get me wrong, though, TCU gave me experience with a ton of different coverages. At some point in time, we ran every coverage that you can possibly think of at TCU. Any coverage that my NFL team wants to play, I’ll be able to pick up on it very quickly.
JM: I thought you had some fascinating battles with wide receivers this past season, and even in previous seasons as well. What are some match-ups that come to mind?
JG: My two favorite match-ups from this past season were against Baylor and Texas. Denzel Mims and I had a great mach-up. I’ve been playing against him since high school. We already know what type of game it’s gonna be when we play each other. We know that it’s gonna be a competitive battle. Collin Johnson from Texas also comes to mind. He’s such a big receiver. We battled the entire game.
JM: It’s great that you mention Baylor. When I interviewed Denzel Mims a few weeks ago, he said that you’re the best cornerback in this draft class. He has you as the No. 1 cornerback.
JG: That’s love right there. We’ve played against each other so many times. We’ve probably had some our of best match-ups throughout our careers against one another.
JM: When you’re playing man coverage, do you approach a smaller, shiftier guy any differently than you do a bigger, more physical one?
JG: No, I really don’t, to be honest with you. It doesn’t matter which receiver I’m lined up with, I always keep my technique in mind. That’s how I prefer to play them.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the cornerback position?
JG: I love how competitive of a position it is. Man coverage places you in a 1-on-1 situation. May the best man win.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JG: My experience at the combine was great. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m very thankful to have had the chance go out there and compete. It’s cool to know that most NFL players have gone through this experience and I’m going through it now.
JM: You had an excellent performance in Indy. You ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, which was an excellent time. What do you think is the overall impression you left out there?
JG: I don’t think there’s any unanswered questions when it comes to me. I went to the combine and answered any and every question that a team could have about me. I performed at the combine with a torn meniscus. I definitely showed how tough I am.
JM: How are you feeling today, health-wise?
JG: I feel great. I’m 100 percent ready to go.
JM: Given the meniscus tear, do you think you surprised some people with your testing results?
JG: Yeah, I might have surprised a few people with my 40 time.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in before the spread of COVID-19 shut everything down?
JG: I did a workout with the Arizona Cardinals just a day or two before the shutdown. That was the only in-person meeting I was able to attend.
JM: I imagine you’ve moved things to the phones since then. Who are some of the teams that you’ve met with via FaceTime?
JG: I’ve met with so many teams. I have a full list for you here. Via FaceTime and Zoom, I’ve met with the Jets, Raiders, Ravens, Cowboys, Vikings, Packers, Saints, Falcons, Titans, Browns and Chiefs.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
JG: I wasn’t asked any strange questions at all. There really wasn’t anything that caught me off guard. I wouldn’t say that I had anything weird happen to me at the combine.
JM: “Undersized” is a term you’ve heard before. How do you respond?
JG: Shoot, I hear that word all the time (laughs). Size really doesn’t matter to me. It goes back to why I don’t cover receivers differently based on their size. Do you have heart? That’s what matters. Are you tough, physical and competitive? I know I am. I put trust in my technique. I’m confident in my abilities. I’ll line up against anybody. I’m gonna bring the fight to you. It doesn’t matter how big or tall you are. I really don’t think that size matters.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?
JG: I watch a lot of film. I do a lot of studying throughout the week. I’m gonna look for the things that makes you uncomfortable. It’s my job to get you outside of your comfort zone. I’m able to recognize a lot of things pre-snap. The receiver will line up across from me and I might start calling out their plays before they even run them (laughs).
JM: If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one teammate from TCU with you, who would it be and why?
JG: I would bring Ross Blacklock with me. He just plays like a dog every snap.
JM: When a team uses a draft pick on Jeff Gladney, what kind of guy are they getting?
JG: They’re getting a coachable guy, first and foremost. I’m a very dependable and durable player. I’m confident in my abilities and I play fast. My football IQ allows me to play fast. I’m excited to hit the ground running.
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