I hope they sign this guy. Camp body at the very least. Could continue to develop.
Malik Gant S Marshall. 6'2" 194lbs
Man Coverage - Impressive tape in man coverage during the three games I watched. Physical at the top of the route to re-direct receivers downfield, but will need to watch for flags. Good patience to keep himself square to the receiver and open fluidly with the route break. Clean footwork, utilizes catch-man to keep himself in phase. May be a bit limited athletically against smaller, shiftier slots, but matched up with tight ends and bigger slots
Jakobi Meyers and Emeka Emezie very well.
Fluidity/Agility - A little tight in his hips and can play through a straw at times, but seemed to do a better job of throttling down and re-directing as I watched more tape. Moving at top speed, change-of-direction can be labor-some for him, but as long as he controls his aggression, he's agile enough to make stops in space against most ball carriers.
Tackling - Extremely good tackler despite filling from a long way off most of the time. Box safety mentality and physicality coming from a two-high alignment post-snap. Takes good angles and finishes with terrific form to target knees to chest and wrap up. Has some big hits in his highlight reel and will send messages to receivers over the middle of the field, injuring three with clean shots against N.C. State.
Run Defense - Outstanding run defender with the ability to close from distance and find the football through trash. Patient and disciplined in his run fills. Natural sense for picking the best path to the ball carrier. Can struggle a bit to disengage from blocks despite good hand work, not surprising for a safety but still something to note. Usually beats blockers to spots due to zero hesitation in his fills, often by design in Marshall's defense.
Route Recognition - Rotated a lot post-snap, both to single-high alignment and to the box. When he was in deep coverage, didn't show great instincts to process routes entering his zone and break on them. Rarely out of position and does not blow assignments, picking up crossers into his zone and communicating through pick plays.
Versatility - Gant has enough arrows in the quiver to play from a lot of different alignments, but he's never going to be an impact deep safety. Just doesn't show the ball skills or range. But he can play there and not give up big plays, matches up in the slot against bigger receivers and is a beast in the box or coming from deep against the run.
Competitive Toughness - Former walk-on who earned a scholarship in 2017. Diligent worker on and off the field, plays with an edge and won't back down physically from anyone. Relentless motor. Hustle plays are frequent.
Athleticism/Size - Outstanding size, length and build for a safety prospect. Not an elite athlete, but he should test well enough and does not appear to be out-athleted very often on tape, even against Power 5 competition.
