Dennis Weathersby

Strengths: Dennis Weathersby has the size to match up with the big receivers that are so trendy in the NFL right now. Fluid and athletic, he plays with excellent technique and uses his long arms to play even taller than he is. Weathersby is a solid tackler who will come up and support the run.

A fifth-year senior, Weathersby has been a starter since his redshirt freshman season and should be familiar with pro-style offenses after his experience against the passing attacks of the Pac-10. He draws the toughest coverage assignment each week and the Oregon State coaching staff considers him a team leader.

Weathersby’s dimensions also make him a candidate for safety at the NFL level. He has better coverage skills than most players at that position.

Areas for Concern: It started to go downhill last season when some quarterback from Fresno State tore up the Beaver secondary for 340 yards and four touchdowns. (Whatever happened to that guy, anyway?) Weathersby really struggled at times in 2001. The Oregon State defense failed to generate much pressure on the passer all year, allowing opponents to expose the weaknesses of the Beaver corners.

Weathersby may lack the pure speed to become a top NFL cornerback and would have to play in a scheme that accounts for that shortcoming. While safety is also a possibility, he has never played the position and he would likely need time to adjust to playing inside.

How Would He Look in Steel Blue? Weathersby must bounce back as a senior and impress in the postseason workouts in order to be a top draft pick. With the demand for big cornerbacks in the Marcus Coleman mold, he would almost certainly get a first look there and then possibly shift inside to safety if he could not make it as a corner. As a safety, his coverage ability would be an asset but he would have to prove that he has a feel for the position. Weathersby might be a nice fit somewhere in the Houston secondary.

(profile written by Warren DeLuca)

Dennis Weathersby’s 2001 Stats G TCK PBU INT FF FR 11 27 10 2 0 0 Dennis Weathersby Return to The War Room

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