2022 NFL draft scouting report: UTSA CB Tariq Woolen
UTSA CB Tariq Woolen
6-foot-4
205 pounds
Yahoo Sports' 2022 NFL draft grade
5.69 — possible third- or fourth-rounder; contributor potential
TL;DR scouting report
Rare height-weight-speed prospect whose CB technique remains raw after switching from receiver, but long-term payoff could be immense
The skinny
A 3-star Rivals recruit in the Class of 2017, Woolen committed to the Roadrunners as a wide receiver despite Baylor's Matt Rhule making a late charge to flip him, taking a redshirt in 2017. Woolen saw action in 12 games (three starts) in 2018, making 15 catches for 158 yards and one touchdown. In 2019, he started the season as a receiver (catching nine passes for 105 yards in six games) but was compelled to shift to cornerback midseason, making two tackles in five games on defense.
Woolen stayed at corner, starting seven of 11 games in 2020 and totaling 35 tackles (2.5 TFLs), 1.5 sacks, one interception and four pass breakups. In 2021, he started nine games and posted 25 tackles (2.5 TFLs), one interception and five pass breakups. Woolen participated at the Senior Bowl.
Upside
Elite athletic traits with which to work — absolute height-weight-speed paragon
Rare length — legit 6-4 with 34-inch arms
Not just track fast (4.26-second 40-yard dash) — field fast, too
Tracked at 22.45 mph during Senior Bowl practices, highest recorded in Mobile
Able to recover downfield with late burst and closing speed
42-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-11 broad puts him in elite company
Possesses the kind of raw traits teams drool over
Has made big strides at corner after midseason position switch two-plus years ago
Former receiver with some ball skills and downfield tracking ability
Might have some blitz CB potential (more evident in 2020 tape)
Played both sides of field, exposed to diverse man/zone calls
Is said to have matured over past two seasons
Plays with confidence and has embraced his new role
Thrilling upside — a true home-run swing on Day 2
Downside
Leaner build and below-average play strength
Below-average short-area quickness and some hip stiffness
Beset by arm injuries past two seasons
Hands are rough — easy to see why he switched to corner
Playmaking undeveloped — dropped (at least) a pair of would-be INTs in 2021
Field awareness sub-par in man coverage — trouble locating the ball at times
Struggles sticking with comeback routes — momentum carries him downfield
Tackling technique needs a makeover — can arrive at ball with poor control
Work in run support ripe for critique
Gets crossed up on pick-route assignments
Roasted a few times vs. Western Kentucky's Mitchell Tinsley in C-USA title game
Inconsistent physicality for his size — lays the wood one play, hesitant on the next
Never lined up in slot — strictly a perimeter corner thus far
Resisted move to CB initially — slow to buy in on coaches' vision
Might require limited/situational use as rookie while digesting defensive system
Turns 23 in May
Best-suited destination
Woolen is a fascinating study as an outside corner who could be a star — or could struggle to handle advanced technicians and quicker receivers who can shake him underneath. He might be best in press coverage in time, but right now he relies on his length in that department and lacks sound technique. Woolen absolutely is a check-back-in-two-years prospect, but his elite athletic traits could allow him to flash as a rookie. Still, patience is required.
Did you know
At the beginning of the pandemic, Woolen received a message from someone he'd never spoken to before — Thailand Pierce, who was an indoor football player (and part-time FedEx delivery driver) who was located in San Antonio in 2020. Pierce offered to help Woolen with his DB technique after he'd just switched over to the new position.
Woolen accepted, and the two worked together extensively that spring after he'd told new head coach Jeff Traylor he'd stick at cornerback but was unable to to work with the new coaching staff when the school was shut down that year.
Player comp
Ahkello Witherspoon
Expected draft range
Top 75