DeAndre Houston-Carson

Houston-Carson transformed from an all-conference cornerback, where he started for three seasons, into an FCS All-American free safety as a senior. He led the team with 109 tackles in 2015 and was the leading defensive back in the Colonial Athletic Association with an average of 8.4 tackles per game. The four-year starter finished his career with 293 tackles, 10 interceptions and nine blocks, and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

showed impressive awareness in making the transition from cornerback to free safety as a senior, displaying the vision, range and ball-skills to potentially remain at this position. locates the ball quickly and plays with a highly aggressive brand of football, charging toward the line of scrimmage in run support.

Physical hitter. Possesses an explosive closing burst to spark big collisions and rips at the ball when others are near.

weaknesses

Obvious level of competition questions. A better hitter than tackler at this point, too often relying on the force he generates with his collisions to knock ballcarriers down rather than wrapping up securely.

leaves his teammates in vulnerable positions with over-aggressive pursuit angles, creating cut-back lanes for ballcarriers to exploit. simply faster than most of the competition he faced and could struggle with well-run double-moves from more explosive athletes.

IN OUR VIEW

good awareness for zone coverage, showing burst to close on routes caught in from of him. good patience in off-man coverage, forcing receivers to commit before turning his hips, putting him in excellent position to make plays on underneath routes. shows very good hand-eye coordination to pluck passes outside of his frame, timing his leap and/or get-off rushing off the edge well to create interceptions or to block kicks. good vision to set up blocks with the ball in his hand.

Durable performer. Four-year starter.

strengths

Looks the part of a modern day NFL defensive back with broad shoulders, a tapered middle and long limbs. Fluid athleticism, including quick, light feet and loose hips to change directions. Accelerates smoothly, possessing NFL-caliber speed.

fcs players had better dominate at their level to earn nfl attention and that is precisely what houston-carson did for the tribe, starting for four years and recording an eye-popping 293 tackles, 10 interceptions and nine blocks.

He possesses the length, fluidity and competitiveness to return to cornerback in the NFL. His range and vision are intriguing at safety but if he is to remain there, Houston-Carson must show more reliability as an open-field tackler.

Three-year letterwinner as a running back, wide receiver and defensive back for head coach Eric Ludden at Massaponax High School

Chosen to the All-Commonwealth District First Team as a defensive back and a running back in 2010

2010 All-Northwest Region defensive back

Garnered all-area accolades from the Free Lance-Star as a senior

2010 Massaponax High School Football Offensive Player of the Year

Rushed for more than 1,000 yards with 17 total touchdowns (11 rushing/6 receiving) during senior season

Also earned three letters in basketball as a guard and one letter in track.

Son of Sonny and Christina Carson

Majoring in sociology

Polemarch of Xi Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Tribe Fellowship leader.