Jack Koerner Scouting Report: 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Report
University of Iowa, Safety, #28
Measurements
6’0″/ 204 lbs.
40 time: 4.55 (estimate)
Jack Koerner Prospect Report
Introduction
Jack Koerner joined the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2017 as an in-state walk-on. He redshirted his first year as there was no chance of playing time with guys with both more experience and recruiting accolades in front of him on the depth chart. In 2018, he managed to make it in as a special teams contributor. Nobody really thought much of him at that point as his best case scenario seemed to be a depth piece behind starters Kaevon Merriweather and Geno Stone. Unfortunately, Merriweather got hurt early in the year, and Koerner was there to take advantage of the opportunity. Koerner would start the last 11 games and go from walk-on to full-scholarship. Even after Merriweather returned healthy in 2020, Koerner earned the start in every game the following two years.
Still, Koerner has decided to forgo his year of Covid-eligibility and enter the 2022 NFL Draft. Usually, I would say that a fringe player like Koerner might want to stay in school to develop skills, but he’s going to turn 24 in August so the time is likely now for the Hawkeye safety. I took a closer look at his game against Maryland to see what Koerner brings to the table.
Pass Coverage
The first thing that really stood out to me with Koerner was his alignment. Iowa runs a two-deep safety look, and Koerner was always aligned on the short side of the field. I do wonder if that is to hide a lack of athleticism from Koerner to give him a smaller coverage area.
Koerner had an interception in this game, but it was off a tip by a teammate where the ball just fell into his hands so not much to take away from that. It also didn’t help that he fumbled the interception on the return, although it was a nice hit by the wide receiver.
His other interception this season was much more impressive.
We're not even through the first quarter of Iowa's sixth game, and the defense already has 14 interceptions on the year.
This one goes to veteran safety Jack Koerner, who had 3 interceptions last year.pic.twitter.com/JOfoEdL0py
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 9, 2021
This is picture perfect ball tracking from the safety. Most players in this position are looking at the receiver to judge the ball, but Koerner eyes the receiver, sees the ball, tracks it, and makes the pick. At the end of this play, he’s running the receiver’s route better than the receiver.
His job is primarily to make sure nothing makes it over the top. So many times, he will immediately start backpedaling at the snap of the ball. Iowa makes people dink and dunk them to death, so clearly he executed that job.
Run Support
He rarely had to play up in the box, but with Iowa players, fundamentals like tackling will never be an issue.
IA S Jack Koerner had 3 INT in '20, able to track the ball and secure the catch. Solid tackler in the open field, limiting big plays. This play shows he puts in time studying opponents, knowing exactly where the ball is going and directing teammates. Former walk-on. #SnapScout22 pic.twitter.com/GGRpGl5DxG
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) May 24, 2021
Jack Koerner Draft Stock
Jack Koerner is very unlikely to get drafted. He simply isn’t the athlete that teams are looking for at safety. That being said, a team will prioritize him as an undrafted free agent as he is somebody who can be a dependable backup at both safety spots in a two-high safety look. He’s not going to blow you away, but the fundamentals are there so there’s a good chance that he can provide depth and be a quality contributor on special teams. Not bad for a former walk-on.
NFL Comparison
Jake Gervase – Los Angeles Rams – Safety
