The UTSA Roadrunners completed a terrific 2021 college football season. As such, the ascending program is set to send a bevy of athletes into the NFL. The UTSA scouting reports for the 2022 NFL Draft are complete with one of the fastest men to ever run at the NFL Combine in Tariq Woolen but offer great depth down the ranks.
UTSA 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
As mentioned, Woolen blazed the Combine 40-yard dash test. He clocked in at 4.26 seconds. Standing at 6’4″, Woolen became the fastest ever to run the 40-yard dash at the Combine for a man over 6’4″. A converted wide receiver, Woolen’s athletic traits certainly get talked about, but his linear growth from his time in San Antonio is impressive.
His fellow defensive player in Clarence Hicks earns a specific mention as well. Hicks was our Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year for his all-around efforts in 2021. Here are the full scouting reports for the UTSA Roadrunners with eyes on the 2022 NFL Draft.
Ahofitu Maka, C
Positives: Hard-working center with a great feel for the position. Strong, displays outstanding vision, and plays with incredible toughness. Fires off the snap into blocks, turns defenders from the action, and seals them from plays altogether. Keeps his head on a swivel and always looks for someone to hit.
Negatives: Struggles to redirect and pick up the blitz. Bends at the waist and misses blocks.
Analysis: Maka is rarely mentioned in scouting circles but is a tough small-area blocker with a great attitude.
Clarence Hicks, LB
Positives: Nasty linebacker who is fast making plays up the field. Breaks down well, fires between gaps to penetrate the line of scrimmage, and disrupts the action. Fluid moving in every direction, nicely redirects to ball handlers, and quickly closes to the play. Bends off the edge when used as a pass rusher and shows good change-of-direction skills. Plays faster than his 40 time.
Negatives: Very streaky. Disappears for stretches. Possesses average size and limited growth potential and does not time well in the 40.
Analysis: Hicks was a defender who got the most from his ability in college and could be used as a situational pass rusher, linebacker, and special-teams player in the NFL.
Dru Prox, LB
Positives: Safety-sized linebacker who flashes ability. Athletic, gets depth on pass drops, and covers a lot of area on the field. Sells out on the blitz, quickly gets to the action, and easily changes direction. Nicely collapses outside-in defending the run. Wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Undersized and gets caught up in the trash. Disappears for stretches.
Analysis: Prox flashed ability throughout his college career and was dominant at times last year for UTSA. He may not have a real position in the NFL, as he’s too small for linebacker and not fast enough for safety.
Jaylon Haynes, DL
Positives: Relentless, undersized interior defensive tackle with possibilities in a one-gap system. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step, effectively uses his hands, and displays a variety of moves to get off blocks. Flows laterally in pursuit of the action and gets out into space to make plays. Intense, slugs it out with opponents, and chases the action hard. Usually plays with good pad level and leverage.
Negatives: Must improve his playing strength. Gets rag-dolled in the middle of the line or even beaten up. Engulfed by opponents.
Analysis: Haynes gets the most from his ability yet has limited upside. He offers possibilities as a three-technique tackle or interior lineman in a one-gap system, and his intensity gives him an extra advantage.
Sincere McCormick, RB
Positives: Hard-working ball carrier who gets the most from his ability. Patiently waits for blocks to develop, consistently turns it upfield, and keeps his feet moving. Does not go down without a fight and falls forward when tackled. Runs with excellent lean and behind his pads. Displays good short-area quickness, burst through the hole, and the agility necessary to turn the corner. Catches the ball well when it’s thrown in his direction.
Negatives: Not a pile-driver who projects as a short-yardage ball carrier. Not a truly creative runner. Lacks perimeter speed.
Analysis: McCormick comes off a terrific junior season and is a hard-running ball carrier who gets the most from his ability. Though he was not used much in the passing game at UTSA, he displayed that ability when given opportunities, which will be necessary for him to make it out of camp this summer.
Spencer Burford, OL
Positives: College tackle who played both the left and right side and projects to guard in the NFL. Quick off the snap, sets with a wide base, and keeps his feet moving. Fires his hands into opponents and correctly places them. Strong and steers defenders from their angles of attack. Displays good footwork off the edge, makes outstanding use of angles, and displays solid lateral blocking range. Patient in pass protection and stays square. Moves well and shows the ability to pull across the line of scrimmage then get out front and block.
Negatives: Must be quicker setting his base, as he gets knocked back off the line on occasion. Must do a better job sinking his butt at the line of scrimmage. Does not consistently finish blocks.
Analysis: Burford was a consistent lineman at UTSA and offers scheme versatility in the NFL at the guard position.
Tariq Woolen, CB
Positives: Former receiver turned cornerback with a large upside. Physical, mixes it up with receivers throughout the route, and physically beats down opponents to defend the pass. Engages receivers at the line and displays closing burst and nice moves to throws. Possesses outstanding size and plays big football. Effectively communicates with his teammates in the secondary.
Negatives: Slow flipping his hips in transition. Prefers to side shuffle. Does too much face guarding and plays the receiver’s hands rather than playing the ball in the air.
Analysis: Woolen possesses all the physical attributes to be a nickel back if not a starting corner in the NFL, but he must continue to improve his techniques and fundamentals. His size and speed are enticing and will push him into Day 2 of the draft.
Want more information on Woolen? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Tariq Woolen, UTSA CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report