Senior | 6′ 207 lbs | College Station, Texas | 3/1/2000

Kolby Harvell-Peel is a versatile, high-floor safety that can play a variety of roles; but he lacks the athleticism to be a dynamic player at the next level.

Overview:

Kolby Harvell-Peel came to Oklahoma State as a three-star recruit and was even listed as a linebacker by some services. But he made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2018, playing in every game with four starts. He started all but one game in each of the last two seasons, earning consensus 1st-Team All-Big 12 in 2019 and 2nd-Team in 2020.

Harvell-Peel primarily plays deep in both single-high and two-high alignments. Oklahoma State’s defense puts three safeties on the field most of the time and uses a variety of coverage shells. Harvell-Peel plays every type of safety position, but most aligns as the boundary safety, playing away from the passing strength. But he also lines up in the box to stop the run and matches up against tight ends and wide receivers in the slot. 

Strengths:

• Good frame allows him to be effective in the box against the run and not get bullied by bigger receivers and tight ends in coverage. Solid strength, as he can make tackles against bigger ball carriers, stand his ground when getting blocked by receivers and tight ends, and can even rush the passer with some effectiveness on exotic blitz packages. 
• Good at fitting the run both from depth and in the box, reading and predicting where runner wants to go. Solid tackler both in the hole and in space, as he is willing to stick his nose in against the run and does a nice job wrapping up and bringing down ball carriers
• Good pursuit from all levels of the field, maintaining proper angles to cut off runner and prevent cutbacks; very consistent motor and effort throughout the game.
• Displays good instincts and ability to read quarterback & route concepts when playing from depth. Competent in zone coverage from a variety of alignments, utilizing instincts and processing to prevent explosive plays in deep zones; solid in intermediate zones as well.
• Solid ball skills: very good ball tracking especially in deep zones in the middle of the field; made more plays on the ball in 2019, but still good in 2020; good at attacking the catch point in Man to break up passes. 
• Able to impact nearly every phase of the game: can play nearly every kind of deep zone alignment, effective playing in short zones and in the slot, good at fitting the run and making tackles down low, and can even rush the passer.

Areas To Improve:

• Speed does not leap off the table, as receivers can outrun him vertically; struggles to cover the entire back end of the defense from single-high alignments.
• Adequate change of direction skills exposed when covering receivers in the slot, as they can create separation against him with relative ease; lacks quickness when stopping and starting.
• Struggles in man coverage against wide receivers and more athletic tight ends: too willing to catch and engage the receiver physically and not mirror them in space; lack of athleticism exposed on sharp breaking routes when covering in the slot. 
• Lacks physical toughness and aggressiveness at the point of attack: rarely attacks downhill with fervor and does not seem to relish contact. 
• Versatility could be his best trait, which is concerning; no elite traits and few very good qualities. 

Injury Concerns:

• Tore his ACL last play of the regular season in 2019, but came back ready for Week 1 in 2020.
• Suffered head injury early against Texas and missed following week against Kansas State

Projection:

Kolby Harvell-Peel does everything well. He can play in a variety of coverage alignments, in both man and zone coverage, plays the run well from depth and down in the box, and can even rush the passer occasionally in exotic blitz packages. However, Harvell-Peel is another case of a player where versatility might be his best trait. He lacks the athleticism to primarily play in coverage, but he also doesn’t bring the size or physicality necessary to play exclusively in the box. He’s fine at both, but great neither.

In 2021, Harvell-Peel will be another year removed from an ACL tear, with a full offseason of “normal” rehab. Therefore, maybe he will return to his 2019 form. If he can play faster and more physically, he might be able to secure his status as Day 2 draft pick. At this point, however, his lack of elite traits could relegate him to Day 3. 

Purchase your 2021 XTB NFL Draft Guide here