The 2011 NFL draft is right around the corner and SB Nation’s Corn Nation has the full run down on CB Prince Amukamara. Check out Corn Nation for more on Nebraska football.
NFL Draft 2011: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
Cornerback | 6’1”, 205 pounds | Senior.
Prince Amukara was a stand-out shutdown cornerback for the Nebraska Blackshirt defense, earning 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors along with All-America honors from the AFCA, Walter Camp, AP, FWAA, Rivals.com, CBSSports.com and SI.com. He was selected All-Big 12 in 2009 and in 2010 was a unanimous selection for first-team honors. During his senior season, opponents completed only 18 passes against him in 52 attempts.
Amukamara’s goal upon entering college was to become a star Husker running back. He had never played cornerback in high school, yet at Nebraska was selected to become part of the secondary. When he was hired in 2008, Bo Pelini convinced Amukamara to stay with the position, telling Amukamara that it was a position in which he could become a star player.
While Amukamara built an impressive resume in college, it may be that his best-unknown asset is higher potential. Nebraska plays mostly man-to-man coverage, but the challenge of playing corner in the NFL will allow him to overcome any perceived flaws he might have.
Amukamara might remind NFL fans of a larger version of Kansas City Chief's Brandon Flowers.
Prince Amukamara vs Justin Blackmon - 2010 Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon (who’ll be playing on Sundays in another year) burns Amukamara for a 89-yard touchdown pass on a flea-flicker. This is the play (and the game) used by many fans to point out that Amukamara is overrated. Amukamara later stated that he expected help over the top, which is why he let Blackmon go by him.
Justin Blackmon had a great game against Amukamara in 2010.
2009 vs Texas
This is another highlight reel for Amukamara. Amukamara finished the 2010 season without an interception (the only Nebraska defensive back to do so), leading many NFL draftniks to question his hands. This highlight shows one of his interceptions in 2009, along with some other examples of exceptional coverage. If you really question his hands consider this - how many chances do you get to get an interception when the opponent only throws the ball your way 52 times over the course of an entire season?
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