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Verone McKinley III NFL Draft Profile
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Verone McKinley III Scouting ReportVerone flashes outstanding instincts and is quick to read and diagnose while flashing a quick trigger to come downhill and fill running lanes. He is an excellent tackler in space and will look to deliver big blows upon contact—sometimes to the detriment of his own health. Verone’s skill set is best displayed when it comes to the passing game. He aligns as a single-high safety, split safety in two-high coverages as well as manning the slot position at times. He displays above-average athleticism and is a fluid and smooth mover in coverage. McKinley has excellent range in coverage and shows a very good ability to break and close on passes made in front of him or near his landmark. Verone's instincts and route anticipation. He has rare football I.Q and can read the quarterback's eyes while also reading receivers' movements to put himself in the best position to make a play on the football. In addition to his instincts and awareness, he flashes outstanding ball skills and hands to secure the interception when many defensive backs would settle for a pass defended.
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Areas for ImprovementMcKinley III needs to tighten his angles in pursuit. He needs to show better tackling technique to consistently finish. He will slip off tackles and needs to finish more consistently. He is inconsistent getting off blocks. He can be a step slow to react when a quarterback comes back to his side late in progression.
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Verone McKinley III Career at OregonVerone McKinley III signed during December early signing period. Verone a four-star prospect and the No. 32 cornerback in the class by Rivals. He had five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and 50 total tackles while forcing a fumble. He chose Oregon over Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Houston, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, LSU, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tulsa, UCLA, Washington, Washington State and others. Verone enrolled in January of 2018 and redshirted his freshman campaign. He played in the first three games of the season making three solo tackles. McKinley III tied for the Pac 12 and team lead with four interceptions. He was third freshman to lead the Pac 12 in interceptions sicne 1978. He played a total of 747 snaps making 46 tackles, including 29 solo and one for loss. As a redshirt sophomore, Verone made six starts while playing in all seven games for Oregon during the pandemic shortened 2020 season. He finished third on the team with 41 tackles, including 21 solo stops. He showed a nose for the ball with an interception, fumble recovery, forced fumble and two pass breakups. In his redshirt junior campaign, McKinley III played in all 14 games recording a career best six interceptions. He registered 77 tackles with 44 solo stops and one forced fumble. |
Verone McKinley III NFL Draft Player ProfileMcKinley’s success this season comes as little surprise for those close to the Oregon program. As a redshirt freshman, McKinley led the Pac-12 in interceptions with four and that was while playing next to 2021 second-round pick Jevon Holland. But what Oregon fans have quickly realized is that it’s not just McKinley’s ball production that makes him such an important player for the team, it’s his leadership ability. Nicknamed “The General” by his teammates and coaches, McKinley is the unquestioned leader of this football team and is referred to as a coach on the field. He is constantly lining up his teammates on defense, calling out alerts and tendencies when the offense comes out in certain schemes.
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