Teez Tabor

The pipeline of defensive backs from the University of Florida to the NFL is running strong with Tabor and Quincy Wilson following in the footsteps of former teammates and 2016 first round picks Vernon Hargreaves (Tampa Bay) and Keanu Neal (Florida). Tabor is arguably the most talented of the bunch. The highly touted recruit stood out immediately even amongst Florida's talent, earning First Team Freshman All-American honors in 2014 and First Team All-SEC honors last season while opposite Hargreaves, recording an eye-popping 26 passes broken up during that time. He followed that up by leading the Gators in both passes defended (10) and interceptions (four) in 2016, earning First Team All-SEC honors. Formally known as Jalen, Tabor plays with the aggressive temperament and "my ball" mentality that NFL coaches covet at the position. He is patient and balanced in press coverage with the fluid hip action to open and redirect, staying on top of routes. Tabor has the footwork to play both press and off coverage and leverages well vs. the run, attacking downhill with a physical demeanor. Tabor's long-speed has been questioned by scouts so his testing numbers during the process will be important. But aside from his speed, the position comes naturally to him, trusting his skills and understanding situations. Off-field issues may in fact be the greatest obstacle to Tabor becoming the first cornerback selected in the 2017 draft. He was suspended multiple times throughout his Florida career, including in the 2016 season opener. With strong interviews and testing numbers, Tabor can help secure his stats as one of the top defensive backs in the 2017 class and likely top-20 selection.

in our view

Tabor has excellent size for the position and plays relaxed in coverage, trusting his skills and feel for the game. He is patient and balanced in press with quick footwork to mirror and ride routes vertically and has the ballskills to force quarterbacks to think twice before challenging him.

strengths

Tabor sports an athletic v-shaped frame with good overall weight distribution, broad shoulders and long limbs. He has loose hips and light feet, which allow him to remain balanced while changing directions easily and without sacrificing speed. Like Hargreaves, Tabor's quick acceleration and fluidity help him remain in the hip pocket of receivers while locked up in press coverage and he offers better size than his and patience than his former teammate, helping him contest throws to bigger receivers. Tabor's size and route anticipation show up while in off-man coverage, where his ability to sneak peeks back at the quarterback and quick closing speed helped pad his PBU numbers. Tabor appears confident with the ball in the air, locating it quickly and showing good timing and explosiveness when leaping to compete on jump balls. Further, he times his collisions with receivers well to break up passes and shows good hands for the interception, including the ability to extend and pluck outside of his frame.

compares to

Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

weaknesses

A good athlete but Tabor appears to be quicker than fast and may not possess elite straight-line speed. Further, Tabor needs to show greater awareness of blockers in the running game and on quick screens, too often getting tied up or even knocked off his feet. He is generally a reliable wrap-up tackler but will duck his head and attempt to lasso the knees of bigger ball-carriers, leaving him lunging and occasionally whiffing. He comes with a troubling track record off the field, including twice being suspended from the team. He was suspended for the 2016 season opener following a fight with a teammate. Also was suspended a year earlier for declining to take a drug test and then sharing his disappointment on social media, tweeting that the Florida athletic department "sucks." Tabor also made headlines when he tweeted that college football is a "modern form of slavery." He later deleted the tweet and apologized, saying he "went too far."

though not quite as big as the cardinals' pro bowler (and certainly less reliable off the field), tabor boasts a similar brand of pure athleticism, seamlessly changing directions and accelerating to shadow receivers in much the same that peterson has since being selected no. 5 overall back in 2011.

--Rob Rang (1/5/17)

Enrolled in January of 2014

A two-time Washington Post All-Met selection and named Washington D.C.’s Mr. Football as a senior

Named a 247 Sports Second Team All-American

Was the only sophomore among the Washington Post All-Met first and second teams in 2011

Played in the Under Armour All-American Game in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Invited and participated in The Opening, an All-Star summer camp at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.

Intercepted five passes and had 17 pass breakups as a senior

Helped Friendship Academy to its second-consecutive berth in the DCSAA AA Championship Game

According to the Washington Post, he did not allow a reception as a junior

Coached by Aazaar Abdul-Rahim at Friendship Collegiate Academy.

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
1.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
2.0	0.0	33.0	1.0	6.0	1.0	23.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	11.8	47.0	4.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
33.0	33.0	1.0	0.0	33.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
2.0	20.5	82.0	4.0