Cameron

Dantzler

Primarily used as a dual-threat quarterback in high school, Dantzler (6'2/188) essentially learned to play corner as a two-year starter at Mississippi State, permitting fewer than 77 yards receiving in every game in his final year. While his toothpick frame suggests a pushover, Dantzler lived in opposing receivers’ shoulder pads (specifically in man coverage) at the collegiate level. Unfortunately, his three pass interference penalties in 2019 can likely be attributed to his lethargic 4.64 40-time. Dantzler’s physicality on special teams will be his best friend until coordinators discover how to use his length and above-average press abilities in coverage.

Just over a month ago, Dantzler (6'1/187) clocked in at 4.64 on the 40-yard dash. His time was the second-worst among all cornerbacks in the class, topping only Florida State’s Samford Samuels, who is likely an undrafted free agent. Almost all players “improve” their times at their Pro Day, but nearly three-tenths of a second is some suspicious improvement. Somewhere in the 4.50-second range would have been reasonable and believable, but a 4.38 would be faster than every cornerback at the NFL Combine except for Javelin Guidry. The truth, as always, is likely somewhere in the middle of Dantzler’s two times at either end of the spectrum.

Dantzler (6'1/187) is considered a press corner, but he probably wasn’t aiming to have the second slowest time of any cornerback on Sunday (Samford Samuels, 4.65). The cover skills are considered some of the best in the class, but teams will obviously have some athleticism questions for Dantzler before selecting him with a draft pick.

Dantzler (6'2/185) has good size and length for a cornerback, and the experience of playing for former Florida State and NFL CB Terrell Buckley served him well. Under Buckley’s tutelage Dantzler developed into one of the top corners in the SEC, and he projects to be a quality press-man corner at the next level. “His cover style will draw attention from NFL game officials early on, but the athleticism and length should allow him to trust his technique,” Zierlein wrote. Dantzler has a shot at being a Day 2 draft pick come April.

Dantzler (6'2/185) has recorded the second-lowest career passer rating allowed among active FBS corners, trailing only Lavert Hill (hat tip to PFF). By traditional metrics, the shutdown Bulldog logged 40 tackles (2.0 for loss), two interceptions and eight passes defensed in nine games played this season. He has five career picks to his fair name. Dantzler’s ball skills are all kinds of appealing and he has a shot at a Day 2 selection should everything break right for him during the upcoming evaluating process -- a mock draft put out on CBS Sports this week had him up into the second round. It should be noted that Dantzler has announced that he will not be playing in Mississippi State’s upcoming bowl game.

The sheer dominance with which Dantzler (6'2/185) handled a hobbled Kentucky passing game was an outstanding display of skill. Kentucky was down to backup QB Sawyer Smith, but as all great cornerbacks should, Dantzler made the backup QB’s afternoon a nightmare and shut down every possible of a reception in his vicinity. Dantzler entered the season ranked as the sixth-best underclassmen among draft-eligible cornerbacks by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. With suffocating performances such as this one, it’s easy to see why Dantzler had some hype entering the season.

Dantzler (6'2/185) sustained an injury against Southern Miss last weekend. While he did come out for pregame warmups on Saturday, Tyler Horka of the Clarion Ledger passes along that the redshirt senior “pulled up” slightly during warmups. It would appear that the Bulldogs won’t be pushing him into action. Tyler Williams will be tasked with stepping up sans Dantzler.

Dantzler (6'2/185) was on the receiving end of a hard block from a Southern Miss offensive player, ultimately requiring some assistance back to the Mississippi State sideline. No word just yet as to what the issue is and its severity, but this has been a costly game for the Bulldogs from an injury standpoint. Among the others to go down were QB Tommy Stevens, who will not return, and RB Kylin Hill. Hill has returned to the game after suffering a lower body injury in the second quarter.

“He has excellent length at 6-foot-1 and solid ball skills, and he plays fast,” Pauline, who believes Dantzler (listed at 6'2, 185 pounds by Mississippi State) has top-60 upside, wrote. The redshirt junior corner has been named a preseason All-American and should once again be one of the top defensive backs in the SEC. Last season Dantzler started all 13 games for the Bulldogs, accounting for 43 total tackles (2.0 for loss), one sack, two interceptions and 11 passes defended. He was a second team All-SEC selection as a result, and Dantzler has the tools to be a first team choice this season.

Dantzler (6'2/175) means business. His length gives him advantages in coverage, but he has the instincts to make plays on the ball. Last year, Pro Football Focus credited Dantzler with eight pass breakups in addition to his two interceptions. That’s pretty insane considering he was only targeted 51 times. Dantzler is being mentioned as a legit 2020 NFL Draft prospect by draft analysts crazy enough to grind non-senior tape in June. Consider Dantzler a Day 3 prospect with upside to climb draft boards.