I believe someone said Brandon was a JUCO transer so they worried about his experience.....Meriweather played his entire college career at Miami, making that point invalid. Nelson was the JUCO transfer. Nelson is also more of a centerfielder who is great in coverage. While Meriweather displays very good coverage skills, and likes to play close to the LOS.
Brandon Meriweather:
Measurable's:
Height: 5'11" Weight: 195lbs
40 time: Low: 4.45 High: 4.52 Average: 4.47
Scouts Inc Report:
Scouts Grade: 79
Strengths: Is a versatile safety prospect with good range versus the run and pass. He lacks ideal size but fills hard versus the run. Shows better power at the point of attack as a tackler than his size would indicate. He plays with a great motor and a mean streak. He makes his presence known over the middle of the field and will throw his body around. Very reliable tackler in the open field. He shows good instincts and initial quickness. Diagnoses plays quickly and consistently takes solid angles. He has better than average range in deep zone coverage. His ball skills are adequate. Shows very good football intelligence and is a leader in the secondary. Great experience at the highest level of collegiate competition.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal bulk and must add weight to his frame. Fills hard versus the run and could match up in-the-box at times on the collegiate level, but he is not big enough to do the same in the NFL. His shoulder surgery in 2006 is concerning, especially for an undersized safety. Character is also a concern following the stomping incident versus FIU as a senior.
Overall: Meriweather played in three games as a true freshman in 2002, before suffering a season-ending injury, which resulted in him receiving a medical redshirt. He returned in 2003, appeared in all 13 games, and recorded 22 total tackles, one interception, and five pass-breakups. In 2004, Meriweather played in all 12 games (seven starts after a shoulder injury kept him out of the starting lineup for five contests) and registered 62 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass-breakups, and two forced fumbles. Meriweather played in all 12 games in 2005 and finished the season with 115 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, seven pass-breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He underwent off-season shoulder surgery and missed spring practice in 2006. Meriweather returned in 2006 and started 11 of 12 games (suspended for the Duke game for his role in the brawl with Florida International) recording 57 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass-breakups, and one interception. He saw action at free safety, strong safety, and cornerback and was named second team All-ACC.
Meriweather is an experienced, instinctive and athletic defensive back. While some see him at cornerback in the NFL -- where he spent significant time as a senior -- we believe Meriweather is best suited to play free safety. He lacks ideal size but has room on his frame to add bulk. He grades out as a second-round prospect on film study alone, but concerns regarding his character and durability could cause him to slip a round or two in this year's draft.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
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Footballsfuture.com excerpt:
"Brandon Meriweather is the total package at safety. His biggest impact comes in attacking the line of scrimmage. He is fearless, and is a force at stopping the run. But he is also an excellent blitzer and gets into the backfield on a consistent basis and makes plays. In coverage, he shows the ability to locate the ball and speed to get to the action and make plays. He also brings the versatility of being able to play at both safety spots."
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nfldraftscout.com (Sports Xchange) News Wire:
01/28/07 - Senior Bowl Prospect Summary - Brandon Meriweather, FS, Miami: If Meriweather didn't have the questionable off-field issues, he'd be an easy first round pick. Though he lacks prototype size for the free safety position, so did another former Miami free safety, Ed Reed, who seems to have enjoyed some success at the NFL despite his lack of measureables. Like Reed, Meriweather reads the quarterback beautifully and has rare burst for the position to make plays on the ball. With Texas' Aaron Ross being sidelined early with a possible concussion, Meriweather was moved to cornerback, at times, during the game, and blanketed wideouts. He broke up a pass in the second half in the end zone, showing the change of direction and quick hands usually reserved for cornerbacks.
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Sports Xchange Scouting excerpts:
"Considered one of the more versatile defensive backs in the country, Meriweather will likely be the first defender drafted from a team renowned for its consistent production of high quality talent. Meriweather has been voted to Second Team All-ACC each of the past two seasons, a fitting acknowledgement for leading the Hurricanes in tackles over this time."
"While Meriweather's production and accolades are impressive, it's his overall athleticism and versatility that have NFL scouts so intrigued. A veteran of 30 starts over four years with Miami, Meriweather has played every position in the defensive backfield. Primarily seeing action at strong safety, Meriweather started at free safety as a sophomore, nickel back as a true freshman in 2003 and was even used this season at cornerback when Miami played against elite receivers.
Despite starting only a handful of games at cornerback over his career, Meriweather was asked to cover Calvin Johnson and showed great competitiveness and athleticism in limiting the eventual Biletnikoff winner to five catches for 68 yards (including a 1-yard touchdown)."
"Positives: Lean and athletic frame with room for additional growth … Long arms … Rare timed speed for the safety position and is even faster on the field due to his instincts and break on the ball … Has been favorably compared to former UM star Ed Reed for his instincts and game-changing big plays … Quick feet … Smooth hip turn … Explosive hitter despite lacking prototypical size … Reliable open-field tackler … Natural receiving skills and will compete for the ball … Starting experience at both safety positions, left, right and nickel cornerback positions … Reads run quickly and is quick to support … Good overall physicality … Team captain in 2006 and considered one of team's strongest leaders … Wrote a letter of apology after the UM-FIU brawl, the only player to do so."
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While I have seen Meriweather ranked as the third or fourth best Safety, Mike Mayock has him ranked second:
Mayock's Top Safeties 2007 NFL Draft
1. LaRon Landry, Sr -- LSU
2. Brandon Meriweather,Sr -- Miami, Fla.
3. Reggie Nelson, Jr -- Florida
4. Michael Griffin, Sr -- Texas
5. Eric Weddle, Sr -- Utah
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Now after reading all the information above, does Meriweather sound like someone with mediocre coverage skills?
