[New post] Cal safety Daniel Scott’s Pro Day bolsters case for 49ers, others in NFL Draft
gqlshare posted: "BERKELEY — Daniel Scott is ready to leave his six-year residency at Cal for a promising career as an NFL safety."Between the ears, the brain part of football, is kind of what sets me apart," Scott said at Thursday's pro-day workout before a cadre of" Daily Democrat
BERKELEY — Daniel Scott is ready to leave his six-year residency at Cal for a promising career as an NFL safety.
"Between the ears, the brain part of football, is kind of what sets me apart," Scott said at Thursday's pro-day workout before a cadre of scouts at Memorial Stadium.
Scott is one of the Bay Area's top prospects for next month's NFL Draft, and he was the star attraction at Cal's pro day, which also saw strong efforts from wide receiver Kekoa Crawford, running back Marcel Dancy, and punter Jamieson Sheahan.
Scott's stock shot up last month at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where his 4.45-second time in the 40-yard dash ranked second among 19 safeties.
California safety Daniel Scott (32) tackles Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) forcing a fumble during the second half of the 125th Big Game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Cal defeated Stanford 27-20. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Scott had a formal interview there with the 49ers, who could envision him as a future tandem with Talanoa Hufanga. The 49ers recently re-signed Tashaun Gipson Sr. after he paired well with Hufanga last season; Gipson, 32, signed a one-year deal, and the backup corps consists of George Odum, Myles Hartsfield and Tayler Hawkins.
Scott, 24, is 15 months older than Hufanga, who made The Associated Press' All-Pro Team last year in his second season as the 49ers' strong safety.
Asked which safeties he admires most, Scott replied: "I like Jordan Poyer with the Bills. I also like Hufanga down the street with the 49ers; he's a baller. And Minkah Fitzpatrick in the middle of the field.
"I don't necessarily like to copycat one person or the other," Scott said, "but I like to watch a lot of film and see something they do well that I can translate into Daniel Scott."
Scott started 28 of the 49 games he played at Cal after redshirting as a 2017 freshman. He recorded seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, seven pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. He dominated Cal's Big Game win over Stanford last fall, producing 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a 40-yard interception return.
Those stats won't factor much into his rookie-year chances in the NFL.
"I know I'm not an All-Pro safety right now. I've got strides to make," Scott said. "But I know a lot of teams say you're going to make your money and your roster spot playing special teams, and not only did I do that here at Cal, but I'm excited to do that on the professional level."
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions already are planning to host Scott for pre-draft visits next month, with more suitors likely, especially after his speedy showing at the combine. Some of those visits are often reserved for medical exams, and Smith noted he's stayed healthy the past four years.
"Whenever you have a guy that can run those times, you're going to draw a lot of eyes," former Cal and NFL safety Chris Conte said. "It still shows that speed is king in football. It's such an important factor. Whenever you can excel there, it's going to bring a lot of attention."
Scott did not run a follow-up, 40-yard dash at Cal's pro day, but he did do position drills that included tracking passes from 49ers college scout Hayden Frey.
Scott, a Pasadena native, said he's been intent on showing teams he's a "polished professional" who is detail-oriented. The combine, he noted, helped tremendously, not just with his on-field showing but in team visits where some quizzed him on schemes and "ran me through a mini-install of what they run with their philosophy."
Scott played in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., before heading to the combine with a chip on his shoulder.
"It motivated me a little more to prove some people wrong, because some people counted me out and didn't think I would perform as well," Scott added.
No comments:
Post a Comment