07 Aug Preseason Scouting Notes: D’Angelo Amos, S, Transfer Portal
Redshirt Senior | 6’1″ 184 lbs | Richmond, VA
An elite special teams player with the ability to block kicks and return punts who hasn’t shown enough ability to play defense at an NFL level
Overview:
D’Angelo Amos started his collegiate career at Army West Point before transferring to James Madison. In his redshirt freshman year he starred as a punt returner and had minimal snaps on defense. He began starting on defense his redshirt sophomore season, but really starred as punt returner, taking 3 punts for touchdowns and earning Phil Steele’s FCS Special Teams Player of the Year award. In 2019 he again started as a safety and punt returner. He plays about half of his snaps as a deep safety in MOFC. The other half is split between playing as a slot corner and in the box. The most common coverages James Madison runs are Cover 3 and quarters. Amos declared his intention to enter the transfer portal for his last college season due to the Colonial Athletic Association canceling conference football.
Strengths:
– A true special teams ace. Has 5 punt returns for touchdowns and 4 blocked kicks in his career
– As a punt returner he shows great vision and understands how to follow his blockers
– Safe tackler who consistently tackles low and wraps up
– Shows good change of direction ability both on defense and as a returner
– Gets lots of depth on his deep zones. Understands how to play deep middle and doesn’t get sucked in by play action or route concepts designed to force him to think
Areas to improve:
– Lacks the speed and acceleration to play safety in the NFL. Struggles to keep up with some FCS players
– Takes poor angles, forcing him to make tackles behind the ballcarrier as a chase tackler
– Struggles in man coverage, can be seen beaten deep and beaten inside
– Motor is lacking. Looks like he jogs around the football field
– Very reckless at the catch point. Too often attacks the receiver’s body leading to penalties and an injury
– Has trouble getting off blocks due to his lack of strength and slender frame
– Does not have a proclivity for making impact plays as a defender
– Lacks sideline to sideline range, doesn’t have the movement skills to defend against vertical routes around the numbers
Injury concerns:
2019: Left game against Rhode Island with an unknown injury
Projection:
D’Angelo Amos projects almost strictly as a special teamer in the NFL. He lacks the range to be a free safety, the size and strength to be box safety, and the speed and coverage ability to move to corner. Perhaps if he can improve his athleticism he could have a place in the NFL as an experienced safety who can tackle, though at 24 years old he likely won’t be able to. He will likely be a PFA and training camp member who has a chance to stick on an NFL roster as a return man.
What to watch in 2020:
D’Angelo Amos should be an interesting watch this year as he will likely transfer to an FBS school. If he takes that jump Amos would need to improve his speed to keep up with better athletes. The other way he could succeed at the FBS level if he can learn a new defense fast and use his instincts to make plays across the field. He would likely be best served playing for a team that runs a lot of cover 3 so they can utilize his skills as a free safety. He should still remain an elite special teamer wherever he ends up playing.
Video scout with 2 seasons of experience at PFF, and 3 seasons as a game charter overall.
Received scouting training from of former Browns GM Phil Savage, and former Browns and Saints scout Matt Manocherian.
As a native Clevelander, all I want is for the Browns to win a Super Bowl as winning the Super Bowl with Browns in Madden 181 times still hasn’t filled the void.