CB Jason Verrett, TCU

[Bolt-O]

Michael Gehlken @UTgehlken 19m

Jason Verrett in April: "If it was something I could control, I'd love to be a Charger" - http://utsd.us/Qkfkqf
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[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

From Kiper's Top 100:

26. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU: An explosive mover who doesn't let a lack of length keep him from being consistently effective.

[Bolt-O]

Jason Verrett is familiar with San Diego.

Since January, he's trained here. He's rehabbed a shoulder injury here. His girlfriend lives here.

Now, he can call it home.

The Chargers selected the former TCU cornerback on Thursday night with the No. 25 pick in the NFL Draft. He becomes the first TCU player the Chargers have drafted since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001.

This is what Verrett wanted.

Cornerback arguably stood as San Diego's top roster need.

Shareece Wright and Richard Marshall are its only corners who started a game last year, and each is entering the final season in his respective contract. Derek Cox was released this offseason and slot corner Johnny Patrick was waived, a duo that played more than 1,000 combined defensive snaps in 2013.

Jason Verrett, a two-time All-American, projects as an immediate starter opposite Wright. The 5-foot-9 prospect, whose black dreadlocks hang well below his helmet, was questioned for his height in the pre-draft process, but that was the only question.

His game film is considered excellent, and some draft analysts say he plays larger than his size. Notably, he had a 39-inch vertical at the combine in February.

Verrett, 22, will not be a full participant this month during organized team activities. He played with a torn labrum last season and had surgery in March. The shoulder is recovering at a good pace. He's scheduled to be on the field when the Chargers have their first training-camp practice on July 25.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

Prisco:

Jason Verrett | CB, TCU
If he was an inch or two taller, he would have gone higher. He fills a big need. Good pick. B+

[rikardo]

I think I read a comparison with Assante Samuel somewhere. I see where that comes from.

I watched about 4-5 TCU games the last 2 seasons. And yes he does remind me of Samuel also. Just the way he gets in front of the WR (beats the route)

[Guest]

I definitely see the type of cornerback the Colts had when Manning was there - that frustrated the shit out me.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

I watched about 4-5 TCU games the last 2 seasons. And yes he does remind me of Samuel also. Just the way he gets in front of the WR (beats the route)

I saw him play about the same number of games. He really is a guy that stood out. He has great technique. He's quick. A real ballhawk. I think I even saw him block a kick. At the college level he was a game changer. It will be interesting to see if it will translate to the pros. My only real fear is injury.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

I definitely see the type of cornerback the Colts had when Manning was there - that frustrated the shit out me.

Not sure if it's coincidence or not, but so far we look to like the smallish, fast DBs that were typical in Indy.

[Bolt-O]

Chargers.com

General Manager Tom Telesco said that there were a number of players that intrigued him with the 25th overall selection.

He vowed only to select a player he felt would be an ideal fit for the San Diego Chargers.

That player is corneback Jason Verrett out of TCU.

We'll have more on Verrett shortly, but for now check out the prospect profile we wrote on him earlier:

The naysayers want to keep knocking Jason Verrett for his stature, as he measures 5-9, 189-pounds.

To their chagrin, all the cornerback has done is proven them wrong with a game that resonates big and loud.

A three-year starter at TCU after transferring from Santa Rosa Junior College, Verrett has a nose for breaking up passes. He recorded 41 passes defensed with the Horned Frogs, including an incredible 22 in 2012. In addition, he notched 160 tackles and nine interceptions during his three seasons in Fort Worth. In 2013, Verrett posted 39 tackles, 14 passes defensed, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble. As a result, he was a Second-Team All-American selection, co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year recipient and semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in the nation.

Some analysts say Verrett is in the mold of Cortland Finnegan, a standout All Pro with a similar build. A quick twitch athlete with tremendous explosion, he has a knack for making the big play. Instinctive and feisty, he is a pest to deal with. Verrett is extremely aggressive, not afraid to go blow-for-blow against bigger wide receivers, often coming out on top.

Many were eager to see how the corner would perform at the Scouting Combine, and he delivered an impressive performance that seemingly solidified his standing as a top defensive back prospect. His 4.38 40-yard dash was the second fastest for his position, just 1/100th off the pace for the top finish. More impressively, even though he is one of the smaller corners available, he posted the third highest vertical leap (39.0 inches).

Clearly, Verrett plays bigger than his 5-9 frame. Thus, based on his production in college and unique skillset, many expect to hear his name called early in May.

[Den60]

Of course man, there was something negative to really hone in on.

Sorry, Dude, but I put football off the back burner and somewhere in the ash heap during college BB season. But, I am not a big fan a small CBs being drafted before the 4th round, never have been. Perhaps they can cover (because of their quickness) when there is a lot of green around them but once you get near the goal line there are too many receivers on every team with height that cause mismatches with small CBs.

Don't worry, I won't be on often. My son made me watch the draft with him but I really haven't followed the Chargers moves this offseason. I did see that they signed a blocking TE which I thought we had in Phillips...

[Beerman]

@MartyCaswell: On possibility of trading pick, Telesco says "when Jason was there, we knew we were going to make that pick."

[Bolt-O]

UTKevinAcee @UTKevinAcee 2m

Tom Telesco said Jason Verrett looks like Bob Sanders sometimes. He meant the Colts' Bob Sanders, not the Chargers' Bob Sanders