The 2019 NFL Draft cornerback class is not as deep as the defensive line class or the interior offensive line class. However, there is a name that is very intriguing.
Abdurrahman Ya-Sin, better known as Rock Ya-Sin, is a long, physical corner that looks like the prototype corner for the 2019 NFL Draft. Ya-Sin transferred to Temple in 2018, after starting three years at Presbyterian College. After Presbyterian went from FCS (Football Championship Sub-Division) to Division II, he was given the opportunity to finish his contract. However, he ultimately decided to transfer.
Ya-Sin did not stay FCS, instead he decided to transfer to a Division I school in Temple. He bet on himself, which shows his confidence in his abilities. The Georgia native earned the respect of his coaches early on, by receiving a single digit number. A single digit number is given to the toughest players at Temple. There is something to be said about his toughness by earning a single digit number as a transfer athlete.
Strengths:
Ya-Sin has the length that NFL teams look for at the cornerback spot. He is physical at the line of scrimmage and does a good job of rerouting receivers when he gets his hands on them. Most long corners struggle to mirror the receviers they are facing, but Ya-Sin does a great job of mirroring his receiver. Part of his ability to mirror is his light feet in his back pedal, which allows him to get in and out of his breaks with ease.
His length can be used to his advantage to get his hands on the ball and break up passes against taller receivers. A two-time state championship wrestler in high school shows when he makes tackles. It’s obvious his wrestling background has helped him as he shows his flexibility when making tackles.
Weaknesses:
Ya-Sin is still raw from a technique standpoint, which could limit his playing time as a rookie. His technique has flaws when he gets beat in vertical routes, causing him to interfere with receivers. Receivers can run by him when he allows his hips to get too high and he does not have the speed to recover. While he does use his hands to break up passes, he tends to grab and pull when receviers stack him.
Overall:
Ya-Sin has the physical tools and size that teams look for in a corner. He has the tools to be a successful corner with his light feet in his backpedal, willingness to tackle, length to break up passes, and ability to mirror receivers. His technique overall needs work, but that can be fixed with the right coaching.
Overall, Ya-Sin has a very high ceiling and could be a stud corner in a short time. He showed his toughness earning a single digit number in his only year at Temple. He has the mentality and ability to be a successful corner in the NFL, though his future seems to be more as a press corner.