Kurtis Drummond

A well-rounded player, Drummond possesses the anticipation and pursuit downhill to close in the ground game while also showing the coordinated body control and ball skills in coverage to make plays in pass defense. But he needs to keep the play in front of him, struggling to consistently turn his back to the ball and maintain his effectiveness. Drummond has traits that project him as a starting quality free safety at the next level, but his instinctive and recovery limitations likely make him a player better suited as a backup and first safety off the bench. A three-star recruit out of high school, Drummond committed to Michigan State over offers from Boston College, Michigan and Pittsburgh. After redshirting in 2010, he was the backup free safety in 2011 before becoming the starter in 2012, recording 53 tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions. Drummond emerged as a defensive leader on the Big Ten Champion Spartans in 2013 with 91 total tackles, 10 passes defended and four interceptions as a junior, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors. He led the team in total tackles (72), passes defended (15) and interceptions (4) as a senior, earning First Team All-American honors and the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award.

lean body type with average-at-best muscle tone. allows receivers to box him out, especially in jump-ball situations. lacks ideal speed to recover after false steps, lacking hip burst and footwork to play tight man coverage downfield.

Doesn?t play with explosive athleticism or consistent instincts, which can be exposed when left on an island against the pass. Won?t consistently get his head turned in coverage and will get grabby vertically, leading to clear interference penalties. Lacks heavy hands to work his way through the trash and needs to improve his jam technique when asked to play near the line of scrimmage. Only average hand/wrist strength and needs to finish tackles once he makes contact.

strengths

Rallies to the ball with active range and discipline. Coordinated body control to flip and stick with receivers downfield. Nice timing in coverage to play the ball in front of him to knock down throws at the catch point (33 career passes defended). Aggressive angles with heady anticipation vs. the run, reading, closing and arriving with a head of steam.

nice job keeping contain and leveraging the field in space. competes with the ball in the air, showing top confidence with the ballskills to make acrobatic plays. senior captain and vocal team leader of the secondary. three-year starter (35 career starts) with consistent production, finishing about the team leaders in tackles and interceptions the last two seasons.

WEAKNESSES

Ranked among the nation's top safeties by Scout.com (No. 69)

listed among the country's top athletes by Scouts, Inc. (No. 83)

named to SuperPrep's and PrepStar's All-Midwest Teams

ranked among Ohio's top 50 seniors by Rivals.com (No. 44) and Scout.com (No. 47)

three-year starter for Coach Brian Hoffman at Hubbard (Ohio) High School

had 24 receptions for 489 yards (20.4 avg.) and three touchdowns as a senior

recorded two 100-yard receiving games in 2009: vs. Warren Kennedy (2 catches for 105 yards, including a 75-yard TD reception) and Youngstown East (4 for 106)

had a career-best eight catches for 91 yards vs. Buckeye

registered 75 tackles (46 solos, 29 assists) as a senior, including four sacks

also credited with three passes defended and two forced fumbles in 2009

produced eight tackles each vs. Struthers and Cardinal Mooney

posted two sacks vs. McKinley

tallied a season-high 10 tackles vs. Ravenna Southeast, including a sack. Returned 12 punts for 110 yards (9.2 avg.) and five kickoffs for 86 yards (17.2 avg.)

averaged 35.0 yards on 27 punts as a senior

averaged 48.0 yards on two punts vs. Struthers, including a career-long 62-yarder

caught 16 passes for 281 yards (17.6 avg.) and four TDs as a junior

had five catches for 98 yards and three scores vs. Struthers

made 49 tackles (29 solos, 20 assists) in 2008, including two sacks

also recorded three interceptions (62 yards) and 11 passes defended as a junior

totaled a career-best 11 tackles vs. Aurora, including seven solo stops

contributed six tackles vs. Brookfield

earned Associated Press Division II All-Ohio Special Mention honors in basketball in 2008-09, playing for Coach Rick Fox

averaged 17.1 points for the Eagles his senior year to garner Associated Press All-Northeast Inland Division II Third-Team honors.

Son of Evette Drummond

born Jan. 29, 1992

majoring in psychology.