2021 NFL Draft: FSU’s Terry a scary good first-round talent

With only two weeks until the 2020 NFL Draft, we could see as many as four or five wide receivers taken in the first round. However, the 2021 wide receiver class may offer as many as six or seven first-round talents, and that includes Florida State’s Tamorrion Terry. The Seminoles have produced some receiver talent in recent years, and Terry may be the best of the bunch. The big receiver decided to return to school for the 2020 college season but could find himself in the first-round mix next April.

Players like Kelvin Benjamin, Auden Tate, Bobo Wilson, and Rashad Greene have at least experienced some success in the NFL in recent years. Benjamin is the name that stands out the most, as he was once Cam Newton’s favorite target in Carolina. Terry has the type of talent that exceeds any of these players. He is a big but speedy wide receiver that has massive upside when it comes to the next level.

From three-star to an all-star performer

At 6’4, 205 lbs, Terry was only the 43rd-ranked receiver according to ESPN out of Turner County High School in Georgia. Despite not being the top-ranked prep pass catcher, Terry still received offers to play college football at big-time schools like Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Mississippi, and Florida State. In the end, Terry committed to play his college career for the Seminoles before the 2017 season.

The talented young receiver was forced to redshirt during his freshman season before starting 11 out of 12 games in 2018. During the 2018 season, Terry showed some serious potential as he caught 35 passes for a new freshman record of 744 yards and seven touchdowns. For his efforts, Terry was named an honorable mention All-ACC performer and the team’s Offensive MVP.

Terry returned for his redshirt-sophomore season in 2019, looking to improve his numbers and prove that he was one of the better offensive players in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He continued to show his big-play prowess on the way to 60 catches for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns. Terry racked up six catches of 60 yards or more, which lead the entire country.

Related | Could the 2021 wide receiver class be even better than 2020?

Terry has the first-round potential in 2021

Florida State has experienced a severe lack of consistency on the offensive line and at quarterback the last few seasons. Despite that inconsistency, the Seminoles have done a great job of utilizing their best player and getting the ball in his hands. Terry is not just a speed threat or jump ball target for the Seminoles, and they have taken advantage of his play-making ability by getting the ball to him on short throws and bubble screens. He has the potential to take these short throws the distance using his elite burst and run-after-the catch-ability.

Tamorrion Terry a beast! #Devy #DevyWatch pic.twitter.com/5sJy6nrnyf

— Greg Brandt (@devywarehouse) August 31, 2019

The big-play receiver ranked 12th in the nation last season with an impressive 19.8 yards per catch. Terry has unbelievable deep speed due to his long legs and even longer strides. If he receives a clean release from the line, there are not many corners at the college level that can run with Terry. Take a look below as Terry dusted the defender downfield on this long touchdown in the Sun Bowl against Arizona State last season.

Florida State WR Tamorrion Terry just toasted Arizona State for a 91-yard TD on a sluggo in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Mike Norvell is going to have fun with him. pic.twitter.com/eUmzRbbtNH

— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) December 31, 2019

In addition to his great speed and hands, he also shows impressive body control and can adjust easily to make circus catches on poorly thrown passes routinely. The Seminole receiver is a complete offensive weapon with immense NFL potential and upside.

Terry can genuinely do it all on the football field, and that skill-set makes him such an intriguing option for the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His decision to return to school was a shock to some, considering he likely would have been in first-round consideration following the 2019 season. PFN’s own Brad Kelly mentioned Terry as one of the top receivers returning for the 2021 NFL Draft.

NFL comparison and draft positioning

In terms of an NFL counterpart, Terry has received the highest of compliments by being compared to first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer and one-time Seminole, Randy Moss. The Minnesota legend was also a long strider and prolific touchdown machine in the NFL. The deep speed and jump-ball ability that Moss possessed can be seen in Terry at times during the college season. At the utmost height of Terry’s ability, Moss is an apt comparison for the current Florida State receiver and the potential upside in his game.

Another player that Terry favors that is currently in the NFL is Bears’ standout, Allen Robinson. Robinson is a great possession receiver with a similar size to Terry. He once scored 14 touchdowns with Jacksonville in 2015, and Robinson remains one of the better red-zone threats in the league. Before Robinson suffered a knee injury 2017, he was also an excellent downfield receiver with the long speed to get behind the defense consistently. Terry may have slightly more upside as a prospect, but he projects like a true, alpha-type receiver in the NFL like Robinson.

For all his great qualities, one of the biggest knocks on Terry’s game is his lack of ideal bulk at the position. However, it seems that he has taken steps to alleviate those concerns during this offseason. He can get bullied at times in the run game and against more physical corners on his routes, but it does not seem to affect his ability to get into the end zone. As a starter, he has been a consistent scoring threat for the Seminoles the past two seasons. 

Another knock on Terry is a lack of focus at times in the passing game. For all the spectacular runs and contested catches, he does seem to drop some very catchable balls. That mental lapse has been something that hurt his offense in the past. With a newfound sense of focus and direction on offense, he could put up more consistent and eye-opening numbers in 2020. Terry seems destined to be named a mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.