Scouting Report: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter's Prep cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick (image via MGoBlog)

Name: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter's Prep
Position: Cornerback
Class: 2015

Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Boston College, Connecticut, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin . . . Claims a 4.45 forty . . . As a junior in 2013, had 62 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 21 pass breakups . . . As a sophomore in 2012, had 21 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 12 pass breakups . . . ESPN 4-star, 83 grade, #3 CB, #29 overall . . . Rivals 5-star CB, #9 overall . . . Scout 4-star, #9 CB, #69 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star CB, 97 grade, #4 cornerback, #35 overall, #1 in New Jersey

Strengths: Lanky with long arms . . . Able to deflect passes from a trail position . . . Good straight line speed once he gets into sprinting phase . . . Playmaker who likes to go for the ball . . . Won't settle for always making the safe play . . . Willing to be decently physical . . . Adjusts well out of backpedal to attack shorter throws . . . Takes good angles coming downhill from his part-time safety position . . . Physical runner with the ball in his hands and keeps legs churning through contact

Weaknesses: Not a big hitter . . . More of an ankle grabber . . . Does not wrap up and drive ball carriers but often tries to gator roll them to the ground . . . Needs to stay lower in his backpedal . . . Lacks ideal hip flexibility . . . May be prone to double moves and small, quick receivers . . . Can be outmuscled by bigger receivers

Projection: Cornerback. Fitzpatrick has good physical skills overall, but right now he lacks some strength, which affects multiple phases of his game. He has very good speed when he can get going, but his short area quickness is a question for me. Because of that, I think he might have more of a long-term future as a safety. A good college program should see him turn into a 195-200 lb. corner, and that added size and strength will help him be a physical press corner. I also think Fitzpatrick could be a factor in the kick return game with his ability to find seams and get upfield.

Reminds me of: Donovan Warren but faster

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Fitzpatrick released a top ten that included Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, and South Carolina. He has a good relationship with Michigan incoming freshman cornerback Jabrill Peppers, but Michigan held off on offering Fitzpatrick for a while, which helped to allow teams like Alabama and Ohio State to build relationships. Personally, I believe the three teams with the best chance to get him are Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State (in no particular order).