Looking for the top Ball State NFL Draft prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City? Here are the Ball State scouting reports for the school’s top players hoping to find an opportunity in the NFL.
Ball State 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Amechi Uzodinma II, CB
Strengths: Nice-sized cornerback who previously showed next-level ability. Aggressive, engages receivers at the line of scrimmage, and is quick in all his actions. Fights to come away with the pass defense, has a nice move to the ball, and correctly diagnoses plays.
Fights to get through blocks, then makes his way up the field to defend the run. Gives effort against screen passes. Wraps up tackling and brings opponents down in the open field.
Weaknesses: Prefers to side shuffle downfield rather than backpedal. Must polish his footwork. Rarely gets his head back around and does a lot of face guarding. Consistently a half-step late arriving to the action last season.
Overall: Uzodinma is a prospect I’ve been watching the past four seasons since his brilliant 2019 campaign. Though he hasn’t shown much improvement in his game, Uzodinma possesses the size and skill necessary to get consideration in a scheme that backs him off the line of scrimmage or has him facing the action.
Jaquan Amos, S
Strengths: Tough, run-defending safety who is best playing downhill. Instinctive, quickly diagnoses plays, and remains disciplined. Keeps the action in front of him, quickly locates the ball handler, and wraps up tackling, bringing opponents down in the open field.
Weaknesses: Shows limited speed and cannot burst to the ball out of his plant. Average quickness.
Overall: Amos was a well-traveled collegian who had stops at Iowa State and Villanova before ending up at Ball State. He possesses solid size as well as speed, yet has a limited game with average ball skills.
Jayshon Jackson, WR
Strengths: Former Cincinnati Bearcats receiver who posted career totals last season. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, fires into pass routes, then stays low on exit to separate from defenders. Plays with balance as well as body control, positions himself to make the reception, and uses his frame to protect the ball.
Comes back to the pass out of routes, adjusts to grab the errant throw, and extends to make the difficult reception. Dependable target who possesses eye/hand coordination and makes the reception in stride. Uses his hands to separate from defenders and keeps his focus.
MORE:Â FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Weaknesses: Has a small build, struggles in battles, and gets physically defeated by opponents. Does not have a second gear.
Overall: Jackson was a productive pass-catching force at Ball State the past two seasons, but he has size and speed limitations. His ability to separate through routes and natural pass-catching skills could help him find a spot as a fifth receiver.
Nic Jones, CB
Strengths: Nice-sized corner who makes a lot of plays on the ball. Super quick, has an explosive burst to the ball out of his plant, and effectively times pass defenses. Battles receivers, competes to break up throws, and consistently gets a hand in to knock away the ball.
Weaknesses: Slow out of his transition, which puts him a half-step behind opponents in deep coverage. Struggles against bigger receivers. Not great defending the run.
Overall: Jones comes off a productive senior season when he displayed improved ball skills and was constantly around the pass-making plays. He possesses an upside and should get practice-squad consideration this fall.
Want more information on Jones? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Nic Jones, CB, Ball State | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Yo’Heinz Tyler, WR
Strengths: Nice-sized receiver who displayed a nose for the end zone in the past. Sells routes, works his hands to separate from opponents, and finds ways to come free. Effectively uses his frame to shield away defenders, gets vertical and contorts, then pulls the ball from the air. Gives effort blocking downfield and gets results.
Weaknesses: Often plays back on his heels and doesn’t show a great sense of urgency. Must improve his route running. Drops catchable throws. Struggles in battles more than he should.
Overall: Tyler showed next-level ability three years ago, yet his game has leveled off since. Possesses the size to play on Sundays, but he must really pick up every area of his game to have any chance of making it out of camp this summer.
