Corn Elder
CB - 5'10 180 Senior - Nashville, TN
2015 Key Stats: 41 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 11 PBU's, 1 Punt Return TD.
After steadily improving each of his first three seasons, returns as UM's most experienced and skilled CB by a landslide.
Will be counted on to make plays and provide leadership in 2016:
Miami Hurricanes senior Corn Elder taking on leadership role https://t.co/cZrF9bj2CT @Ensworth
— Chip Cirillo (@ChipCirillo) April 12, 2016
With a huge season, could also vault his way to an NFL Draft Selection:
jason - Jason's Early 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Notes: Miami(Fla.) CB Corn Elder - https://t.co/uas0bzAN1G pic.twitter.com/qgigzwe0GX
— Jason Hurley (@Jay_AB81) June 11, 2016
Combines excellent athleticism, strong tackling skills, good instincts, and intelligence to consistently make plays:
Despite being a bit undersized, plays with physicality. And he actually matches up a bit better with bigger receivers because of it. Smaller slot guys actually seem to give him a touch more trouble (see Braxton Berrios in the Spring Game).
Summary: Elder's importance to a young CB group can not be emphasized enough, particularly given the front 7 will be attacking and blitzing a whole lot more this season under new DC Manny Diaz. Across from Elder will be Sheldrick Redwine and a whole bunch of question marks. This begs the question, will opposing teams pick on the younger corners and stay away from the senior to be? The hope here is that UM's front gets enough pressure on the QB, that they don't have time to be so selective. In that scenario, combined with being in more man-to-man/press coverages, Elder should thrive because of his quickness and ball skills. There will be times where he allows a big play or two, that is a caveat that any corner in an attacking scheme must live with. But Elder has the skill set to make more than a few explosive plays of his own. In 2016 I expect Miami's best cover CB to have another solid season. 4+ INT's, 10+ PBU's, and a few sacks off blitzes (another thing he does very well) are all very possible. I don't expect Elder to see much action in the return game, given his significance to the D, but any time he gets his hands on the ball he is a threat to take it to the house. A few scores off turnovers are also something I could see happening with Elder.