Derek Stingley Jr. Summer Scouting Report

Next up on our summer scouting series War Room Scouting takes a look at LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

Background

Derek Stingley Jr. is a player that has always embraced expectations. Being raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Stingley was always expected to play for the hometown LSU Tigers. After a successful high school career Stingley would stick to his hometown roots and commit to LSU. According to 247 Sports Recruiting Rankings Stingley graded as the best cornerback in the 2019 class and the 5th highest graded cornerback in 247 Sports All - Time Cornerback Rankings.

Entering LSU in 2019 as one of the most highly coveted high school prospects in the nation Stingley would show that he was ready to prove his ranking and make a meaningful impact. In the 2019 season Stingley immediately earned a starting spot as a true freshman and was a key contributor in LSU’s 15-0 National Championship season. Stingley started all 15 games and recorded 38 total tackles, 6 interceptions, 21 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. His impressive 2019 campaign would earn him 2019 Consensus All - American Honors and a spot on the 2019 SEC All - Freshman Team.

2020 would prove to be a year of adversity for Stingley. He would miss the home opener against Mississippi State due to an unknown illness that caused him to be hospitalized. Following his return to the team Stingley would struggle with consistency in his play as the LSU team experienced both turnover in talent and in coaching. With 2019 defensive coordinator Dave Aranda departing for Baylor Stingley and the entire LSU defense struggled to perform at a consistent basis with 2020 defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. In 7 games Stingley registered 27 total tackles 5 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.

Entering 2021 Stingley will look to improve from his inconsistent 2020 campaign with new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.

Positives

Technique

With the cornerback position requiring many skills and traits, technique is the foundation of the position and in Derek Stingley’s game is where consistent cornerback technique is shown. Frequently lined up in man coverage Stingley does a good job of keeping himself low with his pads square to the receiver to consistently mirror releases off the line of scrimmage. He also possesses quick feet for the position to stay in phase against crafty and quick receivers who are creative in their releases. When in transition Stingley shows a fluid hip turn and efficient kick step out of his stance to guide himself vertically with the opposing receiver. In instances where Stingley is aligned in off coverage, he consistently maintains square and patient positioning to keep his leverage unknown to the opposition. Stingley’s disciplined demeanor helps him see and anticipate routes that are in front of him. Because of Stingley’s technical refinement he has the versatility to play tight man coverage and off coverage making him a scheme versatile talent at the cornerback position.

Athleticism in Coverage

While Stingley does have the technical ability to stay in phase, he also possesses supreme athleticism when transitioning to downfield coverage. In man coverage Stingley carries expansive speed to keep up with both possession and vertical type receivers. Against deep vertical routes such as streaks and post routes he effortlessly stays stride for stride with receivers that are looking to take the top off defenses making him a valuable asset to defend against team’s that covet speed in their receiving corps. Against short routes Stingley’s speed helps him quickly latch onto the receiver making the catch point between the quarterback and receiver very difficult. In off coverage his athleticism helps him efficiently trigger and close on routes, this ability led to an abundance of pass deflections and dislodged passes.

Ball Skills

With Stingley showing above average technical ability and athleticism for the position the culmination of his talent is shown when the ball is in the air. At the catch point Stingley does a great job walling off the opposing receiver to track and catch the ball without much struggle. His experience of playing wide receiver in high school shows when he attacks the ball at the catch point as he understands the importance of timing his jumps and positioning himself correctly to make a meaningful catch. Stingley’s ball skills also show when he intercepts underthrown or off target passes as his positioning and heightened sense of awareness helps him quickly react and catch passes that are thrown away from the receiver he is defending.

Negatives

Consistency in Press

One blemish that is occasionally shown in Stingley’s play in man coverage is his consistency playing press technique. In situations where the technique is utilized, he occasionally shows below average hand placement when shooting his jam causing an uneven base and leverage for the opposing receiver to attack and recognize. Stingley needs to improve his hand placement and positioning at the line of scrimmage when playing press in order to be trusted playing the technique.

Grabbiness Downfield

A bad habit that is shown in Stingley’s game is his over aggressiveness to cling to the receiver he is guarding. Much of this is shown against releases that are inside of Stingley and routes that attack the middle of the field. Against these routes Stingley relies too much on his hands guiding his transition to stick to the receiver up field that he overcompensates and draws many holding and pass interference calls. Cleaning up Stingley’s grabby tendencies downfield will be an important piece of his game in 2021.

Games Watched

vs Texas A&M (2019), vs Florida (2019), vs Alabama (2019), vs Georgia (2019), vs Vanderbilt (2020), vs South Carolina (2020), vs Texas A&M (2020).

Scheme Fit

Boundary cornerback that can operate in a man or zone heavy scheme due to his blend of technical ability, athleticism, and ball skills in both coverages.

Grade

1.1 (Top 10 Player)

Final Summary

Derek Stingley is a cornerback that carries all the ideal traits that are imperative for the cornerback position today. His technique to play both coverages, athleticism to match up with any receiver, and the ball skills to make key takeaways in crucial situations makes him a coveted cornerback prospect heading into the 2021 season. As he continues to improve on his press technique and grabby tendencies Stingley has all the makings of an elite cornerback.