Editor's note: NBC Sports Bay Area will preview the NFL Draft with a look at the 49ers’ top needs, profiles of prospects that might fit their needs, along with some hidden gems. In this installment, we profile Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell.
He likes to size up people.
And even though he will not find a career specifically in his major coming out of college, Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell will look across the line of scrimmage and size up his competition on a weekly basis in the NFL. He likely will be a first-round draft pick next week.
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SIGN UP HERE “At first, I was majoring in business and I felt that wasn’t my path so I switched to sociology,” Terrell said at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I like to study people and understand why people think the way they do. I fell in love with the major, and I felt like I made the right decision for myself.”
The 49ers certainly are sizing up cornerbacks, too. And Terrell likely is near the top of the list.
The 49ers could be in the market for a cornerback within the first two rounds of the draft for the first time since 2004. Terrell has everything the club wants – size, smarts, athleticism, competitiveness -- from a cornerback in their defense.
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Terrell is tested in big games. He played 14 games in college both of the past two seasons, culminating in two appearances in the national championship game.
In January 2019 at Levi’s Stadium, Terrell accounted for the first points of the game when he intercepted Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown.
The experience was not so pleasant this year, going up against Ja’Marr Chase, the best receiver in college football. Chase, who had 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns receiving as a sophomore, is not eligible for next week's draft. Chase likely would be the first receiver off the board if he were eligible this year.
Terrell held his own early in the game and generally was in good position against Chase – but not good enough. Chase had nine receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns. But Terrell did not back down from the challenge.
“We started off strong and he got the best of me on some plays and it went back and forth,” Terrell said. “Every time we lined up, I couldn’t take a play off.
“I would say I’m a competitor. I don’t like to back down from competition. I’m going to give the receiver my best and I know I’m going to get theirs. We’re just going to compete for the whole four quarters.”
Terrell has the ability to play all styles of coverage, and he was a favorite of the Clemson coaches for his character and work ethic. He always took on the challenge of shadowing the opposition’s top receiver.
Like any young cornerback coming to the 49ers, Terrell could learn a lot from veteran Richard Sherman, who enters the final year of his contract. Cornerback remains one of the few spots on the club without a clear-cut starter with a competition expected to include Emmanuel Moseley, Ahkello Witherspoon and, possibly, Jason Verrett.
Terrell is right up there among the top corners in the draft, along with Ohio State's Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson of Florida.
[RELATED: C.J. Henderson could fit 49ers as impact cornerback]
NFL draft profile: A.J. Terrell
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 195 pounds
College: Clemson
Career stats: 101 tackles, six interceptions, 13 passes broken up and two forced fumbles in three college seasons.
Combine measurables
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
Vertical jump: 34.5 inches
Broad jump: 129 inches
20-yard shuttle: NA
What experts are saying
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media: "He had a rough outing against LSU in the national title game, but was otherwise very steady last season. Overall, Terrell has some tightness, but he's a very solid player who should emerge as a quality No. 2 cornerback for his drafting team.”
Chris Simms, NBC Sports: "It’s easy and smooth for him. It’s not like has to over-exert himself and have his body go out of control to do it. And that’s what really good corners can do.”
Lance Zierlein, NFL Media: "Terrell has the foot agility and patience to pedal and mirror the release or jab and ride on it aggressively. He's an above-average athlete with quick burst to close out space in tight quarters.”
Draft projection: First round