TJ Tampa NFL Draft Profile
TJ Tampa Scouting Report: Iowa State, Cornerback
2024 NFL Draft Measurements
6’2″ / 200 lbs
TJ Tampa 40 time: 4.39 (estimate)
TJ Tampa Draft Profile
The 2020 Pinellas County Athlete of the Year, TJ was a two-way player out of Lakewood High School. A three-star recruit, Tampa eventually chose Iowa State over Georgia, Maryland, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and Rutgers. He would primarily play on special teams as a freshman, before getting five starts in 2021.
However, it was 2022 when he made a big jump. TJ would start in all 12 games for the Cyclones, registering 40 tackles, five for loss, one interception, and nine pass breakups. His efforts would earn him a place on the All-Big 12 second team. At the same time, PFF had him graded as the 6th best returning cornerback heading into 2023.
At the time of this writing, Tampa still has four regular season games remaining. Still, he’s already racked up 31 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. According to PFF, he’s once again the #6 graded cornerback in college football, as well as the #8 best graded defensive player. That’s ahead of the likes of Kool-Aid McKinstry and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Weaknesses
Eye Placement
The biggest issue that I kept seeing with TJ, was his eye placement. He has the athleticism to stay with receivers. But he has to stay focused on his responsibilities. He can get stuck watching the quarterback and lose track of the player that he’s supposed to be covering. It did look like he was doing a better job of correcting this issue in later games.
TJ Tampa Draft Stock
TJ is ranked as the 93rd-best draft prospect according to NFL Mock Draft Database. That’s projected to be a 3rd round pick. I personally have a Day 2 grade on him, with the feeling he could hear his name called in the late 2nd, early 3rd. I expect Tampa to get invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. So, he’ll have some solid chances to improve his draft standing.
TJ Tampa NFL Comparison
Martin Emerson Jr. / Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
Emerson was a 3rd round selection for the Browns in 2022. He has a similar build to TJ and is also best in press-man coverage. Emerson played well when thrust into additional playing time thanks to injuries. According to some, he’s already developed into the second-best corner on the Browns’ defense.
Final Thoughts on TJ Tampa Scouting Report
TJ has all the physical tools teams will be looking for. A tall and rangy defense, he shows great change of direction and acceleration. He’s got the speed to run with receivers, but the size to handle tight ends. While I like him best as a press-man corner, he has the skills to play within any defensive scheme. What I believe to be his biggest weaknesses, are things that can be coached. If Tampa is able to clean up those areas, he could be a nice midround snag.
TJ Tampa Scouting Report Analyst: Brandon Claburn
You’ve got to like a corner that can do a little of everything. TJ is that guy. He’s smooth in zone coverage and does a good job of tracking receivers through his area. Then, he does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eye to break and make a play on the ball. If he’s playing off-man coverage, he has the burst and speed break on shorter routes. But he’s at his best (in my opinion) in press-man coverage as I spoke about previously.
Run Support
I always say this when scouting cornerbacks, but I can’t stand defensive backs that are afraid to help against the run. Thankfully, this isn’t something you have to worry about when it comes to TJ. Not only is he not afraid, but he can bring some serious pop when tackling. He does need to improve his tackling technique. But that’s something I think most GMs feel that can be coached up.
Weaknesses
Eye Placement
The biggest issue that I kept seeing with TJ, was his eye placement. He has the athleticism to stay with receivers. But he has to stay focused on his responsibilities. He can get stuck watching the quarterback and lose track of the player that he’s supposed to be covering. It did look like he was doing a better job of correcting this issue in later games.
TJ Tampa Draft Stock
TJ is ranked as the 93rd-best draft prospect according to NFL Mock Draft Database. That’s projected to be a 3rd round pick. I personally have a Day 2 grade on him, with the feeling he could hear his name called in the late 2nd, early 3rd. I expect Tampa to get invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. So, he’ll have some solid chances to improve his draft standing.
TJ Tampa NFL Comparison
Martin Emerson Jr. / Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
Emerson was a 3rd round selection for the Browns in 2022. He has a similar build to TJ and is also best in press-man coverage. Emerson played well when thrust into additional playing time thanks to injuries. According to some, he’s already developed into the second-best corner on the Browns’ defense.
Final Thoughts on TJ Tampa Scouting Report
TJ has all the physical tools teams will be looking for. A tall and rangy defense, he shows great change of direction and acceleration. He’s got the speed to run with receivers, but the size to handle tight ends. While I like him best as a press-man corner, he has the skills to play within any defensive scheme. What I believe to be his biggest weaknesses, are things that can be coached. If Tampa is able to clean up those areas, he could be a nice midround snag.
TJ Tampa Scouting Report Analyst: Brandon Claburn
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I love TJ’s physicality. He isn’t afraid to get in receivers’ faces and jam them off the snap. But he doesn’t stop there. Tampa will stay on his receiver’s hip throughout the entire route. And thanks to the college rules, he stays physical throughout the play. This helps when matched up against tight ends as well. He’ll need to adjust a little when he gets into the NFL, but I’d rather a need to tune down the aggression than try and ramp it up.
Zone and Man
You’ve got to like a corner that can do a little of everything. TJ is that guy. He’s smooth in zone coverage and does a good job of tracking receivers through his area. Then, he does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eye to break and make a play on the ball. If he’s playing off-man coverage, he has the burst and speed break on shorter routes. But he’s at his best (in my opinion) in press-man coverage as I spoke about previously.
Run Support
I always say this when scouting cornerbacks, but I can’t stand defensive backs that are afraid to help against the run. Thankfully, this isn’t something you have to worry about when it comes to TJ. Not only is he not afraid, but he can bring some serious pop when tackling. He does need to improve his tackling technique. But that’s something I think most GMs feel that can be coached up.
Weaknesses
Eye Placement
The biggest issue that I kept seeing with TJ, was his eye placement. He has the athleticism to stay with receivers. But he has to stay focused on his responsibilities. He can get stuck watching the quarterback and lose track of the player that he’s supposed to be covering. It did look like he was doing a better job of correcting this issue in later games.
TJ Tampa Draft Stock
TJ is ranked as the 93rd-best draft prospect according to NFL Mock Draft Database. That’s projected to be a 3rd round pick. I personally have a Day 2 grade on him, with the feeling he could hear his name called in the late 2nd, early 3rd. I expect Tampa to get invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. So, he’ll have some solid chances to improve his draft standing.
TJ Tampa NFL Comparison
Martin Emerson Jr. / Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
Emerson was a 3rd round selection for the Browns in 2022. He has a similar build to TJ and is also best in press-man coverage. Emerson played well when thrust into additional playing time thanks to injuries. According to some, he’s already developed into the second-best corner on the Browns’ defense.
Final Thoughts on TJ Tampa Scouting Report
TJ has all the physical tools teams will be looking for. A tall and rangy defense, he shows great change of direction and acceleration. He’s got the speed to run with receivers, but the size to handle tight ends. While I like him best as a press-man corner, he has the skills to play within any defensive scheme. What I believe to be his biggest weaknesses, are things that can be coached. If Tampa is able to clean up those areas, he could be a nice midround snag.
TJ Tampa Scouting Report Analyst: Brandon Claburn
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Strengths
Physical
I love TJ’s physicality. He isn’t afraid to get in receivers’ faces and jam them off the snap. But he doesn’t stop there. Tampa will stay on his receiver’s hip throughout the entire route. And thanks to the college rules, he stays physical throughout the play. This helps when matched up against tight ends as well. He’ll need to adjust a little when he gets into the NFL, but I’d rather a need to tune down the aggression than try and ramp it up.
Zone and Man
You’ve got to like a corner that can do a little of everything. TJ is that guy. He’s smooth in zone coverage and does a good job of tracking receivers through his area. Then, he does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eye to break and make a play on the ball. If he’s playing off-man coverage, he has the burst and speed break on shorter routes. But he’s at his best (in my opinion) in press-man coverage as I spoke about previously.
Run Support
I always say this when scouting cornerbacks, but I can’t stand defensive backs that are afraid to help against the run. Thankfully, this isn’t something you have to worry about when it comes to TJ. Not only is he not afraid, but he can bring some serious pop when tackling. He does need to improve his tackling technique. But that’s something I think most GMs feel that can be coached up.
Weaknesses
Eye Placement
The biggest issue that I kept seeing with TJ, was his eye placement. He has the athleticism to stay with receivers. But he has to stay focused on his responsibilities. He can get stuck watching the quarterback and lose track of the player that he’s supposed to be covering. It did look like he was doing a better job of correcting this issue in later games.
TJ Tampa Draft Stock
TJ is ranked as the 93rd-best draft prospect according to NFL Mock Draft Database. That’s projected to be a 3rd round pick. I personally have a Day 2 grade on him, with the feeling he could hear his name called in the late 2nd, early 3rd. I expect Tampa to get invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. So, he’ll have some solid chances to improve his draft standing.
TJ Tampa NFL Comparison
Martin Emerson Jr. / Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
Emerson was a 3rd round selection for the Browns in 2022. He has a similar build to TJ and is also best in press-man coverage. Emerson played well when thrust into additional playing time thanks to injuries. According to some, he’s already developed into the second-best corner on the Browns’ defense.
Final Thoughts on TJ Tampa Scouting Report
TJ has all the physical tools teams will be looking for. A tall and rangy defense, he shows great change of direction and acceleration. He’s got the speed to run with receivers, but the size to handle tight ends. While I like him best as a press-man corner, he has the skills to play within any defensive scheme. What I believe to be his biggest weaknesses, are things that can be coached. If Tampa is able to clean up those areas, he could be a nice midround snag.
TJ Tampa Scouting Report Analyst: Brandon Claburn
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