Jayron Hosley, Junior, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
Overview:
Coming from Virginia Tech, a school which is known for turning out tremendous talent in the defensive backfield, Hosley, a junior listed at 5’11” and 172 lbs., is one of the nation’s premiere defensive backs. After serving a brief one game suspension for violating team policy in 2010, he quickly went on to earn first-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, was the recipient of the 2010 Defensive Back Trophy from College Football Performance Awards as the top defensive back among FBS schools, and was named second-team All-American by the Associated Press. Hosley played a key role in 2010, playing on a defense which returned only four starters, leading the nation in interceptions with nine, and was a first-team All-ACC selection. Along with leading the nation in interceptions last year, Hosley also tied the school’s record for interceptions in a season, which was set in 1967 by Ron Davidson.
Along with his defensive duties, Hosley also lent his services as a punt/kick return specialist, averaging 12.6 yds. per return with 19 returns, one touchdown, and a long of 80 yards ranking 19th overall in punt return average in 2010. In the kick return game, Hosley averaged 21 yards per return with nine returns, a long of 50 yds., and zero touchdowns.
Final Projections:
His efforts in 2010 have allowed him to be featured on numerous 2011 preseason watch lists including; the Walter Camp Player of the year award, the Jim Thorpe award, which is given out annually to the nation’s top defensive back, the Bronko Nagurski trophy, which is awarded year round to the nation’s best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. He is also featured on the Chuck Bednarik award watch list, which is awarded to the nation’s top defensive player. Hosley is a player who shows tremendous upside as his maturity and passion for the game has continued to grow throughout his career as a Hokie. His speed and superb ball skills makes him a top defensive prospect for the 2012 NFL draft, as he is likely to forego his senior season at Virginia Tech.
1/16/12 Update:
And that is exactly what Hosley has done. He will enter the 2012 NFL Draft instead of returning to Virginia Tech for his senior season. Hosley was informed that he would be a second round draft pick or a late first round selection by the NFL draft advisory board and that was enough for Hosley. The competition at cornerback, as usual, will be stiff, but Hosley has the skills to be a solid second round selection.
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