Rock Ya-Sin, Cornerback, Temple Owls

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 192 pounds

40-yard Dash: 4.51 seconds

Bench Press: 18 reps

Vertical: 39.5”

Broad Jump: 120”

Career Stats: 47 tackles, 2 interceptions, 12 passes defended (one season at Temple)

Analysis

Strengths: Ya-Sin’s physique fits the mold of today’s NFL cornerback. He has the length and speed to mirror receivers and attacks the ball when in the air. He excels in one-on-one coverage, using his frame to shield receivers from the football. The first-team All-AAC selection led Temple with 12 pass breakups, and is not afraid to get into the mix in run support as well. He’s a physical corner who impressed coaches and scouts at the NFL Combine with 18 reps on the bench, tied for second among his position. He has a relentless motor, something NFL coaches have come to expect from Temple prospects.

Weaknesses: The biggest knock on Ya-Sin entering the draft process is his inexperience playing against elite wide receivers. He played his first three seasons at Presbyterian College, and was able to transfer to Temple when the Presbyterian football program dropped from FCS to Division II. Even as Ya-Sin was one of the best at his position in the AAC, the conference didn’t exactly feature much NFL talent at wide out, compared to say the year prior when Courtland Sutton or Anthony Miller were giving cornerbacks’ nightmares. Zone coverage is something he will need to work on as he rarely played the scheme in college. There is some coaching to be done with his footwork, and for all the praise about the passes defended, he could have came away with a few more turnovers if not for some drops.

Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images

Final Thoughts

There are varying opinions on Ya-Sin as we inch closer to the draft. Some feel he has all the tools to take the field right away for his new team, while others feel he needs some work before becoming a potential starter in two to three years. With that said, any team in the market for a press corner should have their eyes on Ya-Sin early. He could slip into the back half of the first round, but he’s most likely a second-day pick that should become a starter down the road.