Virginia State cornerback Willie Drew is one of two HBCU prospects participating in the 2024 NFL Combine and the 2023 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year put up some impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash and 10-yard split.
The Smithfield, Virginia native had what CBS Sports analyst Emory Hunt called, “Two excellent runs.”
On the first attempt, Drew ran an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.48, then backed it up by shaving .2 seconds from his time and recording an official 4.46 with a 1.49-second 10-yard split.
The 10-yard split is a measure of a player’s explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, and the record for the fastest time is held by DK Metcalf who posted a time of 1.45 seconds over the first 10 yards of his 40-yard sprint.
Drew’s 40-time of 4.46 ranks 13th out of the 29 cornerbacks who ran the 40-yard dash at the combine and his 10-yard split was tied for third fastest in the position group.
The NFL.com prospect tracker has Drew with a 5.95 prospect grade that has him listed as an “Average Backup Or Special-Teamer” and the NFL Next-Gen State Score Breakdown has his 2024 Combine CB Rank at 26th.
Willie Drew will still have a steep hill to climb as a Division II HBCU football player, but he proved that he has legit NFL speed and elite burst within a talented group of corners available in the 20324 NFL Draft.
Below is the draft analysis for Virginia State cornerback Willie from NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein on NFL.com
Overview
Rangy cornerback whose length often makes up for a lack of play strength when it’s time to challenge the 50/50 ball. Drew mirrors the release with accuracy from press and has the fluidity and agility to maneuver naturally around the field from a backpedal. He played against a lower level of competition, but his ball skills are translatable at a higher level. He’s instinctive pre-throw and competitive at the catch point with natural hands to flip the field on interceptions. Drew will need to improve his play strength and prove he can run with vertical challengers, but he has the tools to make it in the league.
Strengths
- Premium ball production with heaping amounts of takeaways and breakups.
- Bends and slides easily to match and slow receiver’s release from press.
- Athlete with agile feet and smooth lateral movements from his pedal.
- Tracks and attacks the deep throw with above-average accuracy.
- Lower-body twitch to close quickly and squeeze throwing windows.
Weaknesses
- Can be overtaken by size and power from press.
- Small hitch in his hip flip to turn and sprint with deep targets.
- Slight stall to plant and drive from the top of his drop.
- Needs to become more proactive in attacking run blocks.