09 Jul Preseason Scouting Notes: Kolby Harvell-Peel, S, Oklahoma State
Junior | 6’0″, 202 lbs | College Station, TX | March 1, 2000
A muscular box safety with sound tackling ability, aggression in the run game, and good on ball production
Overview:
Kolby Harvell-Peel is coming off of a breakout year in 2019, when he established himself as a name to watch in the Big 12. As a safety in Oklahoma State’s 4-2-5 scheme, he often lines up in single high safety or as one half of a two high look. He can also be found lining up in the slot, and will occasionally start in the box. The Cowboys run a fairly even mix of zone and man coverages, with the most common coverage being Cover 1. After a season in which he recorded 75 tackles, 5 INTs, and 13 PBUs, Harvell-Peel has a solid foundation of production to build upon in 2020.
Strengths:
– Physical against the run and pass. Not afraid to stick his nose into the scrum
– Gets good depth in his drops with a smooth and easy backpedal
– Disruptive at the catch point. Attacks the ball or the receivers hands tp breakup the play
– Sound form tackler. Squares up opponents and drives hips through contact
– Good pre-snap communicator. Constantly making call ands checks with his teammates
– Closing Speed. Sticks his foot in the ground and bursts to the receiver or ball carrier
– Comes downhill hard to fill the alley
– Doesn’t back down from matchups with TEs and bigger receivers
– Can be effective as a blitzer against both the run and pass
Areas To Improve:
– Change of direction and lateral mobility leave something to be desired. He can be exposed when matched up against quick receivers in the slot
– Despite being a sound form tackler, he’s prone to the occasional big miss when he goes for the knockout
– Hips are a bit stiff in his transition from backpedal to turn and run
– Block shedding is a serious chore rather than a natural skill
– Most of his turnovers come from opportunities created by others or off-target throws rather than his own ball skills
– Has a tendency to bite on double moves and give up deeper routes
Injury Concerns:
N/A
Projection:
Harvell-Peel projects as a good run box safety in the NFL. His willingness to contribute against the run game will serve him well and allow him to make an impact. However, in a league that increasingly asks safeties to be position versatile, his deficiencies in the pass game will limit the number of roles he can be put into. He performs best in the 1st and 2nd levels of the field when the ball is in front of him and he can come downhill. His best scheme fit will be in a defense that favors zone coverages over man. He can be matched up against tight ends and bigger receivers in the slot, but more agile receivers will not be a good matchup. Teams that are looking for more run support out of their secondary will find him available in the latter half of Day 2 or early on Day 3.
What To Watch In 2020:
Harvell-Peel can significantly raise his draft stock if he can improve his weaknesses in the pass game. Working on playing with looser hips will help his transition to run with receivers on deep routes, and would improve his change of direction and lateral mobility. Developing his ball skills to the point where he can turn self-created opportunities into turnovers rather than just PBUs will be a part of his game to keep an eye on. Harvell-Peel’s run defending production is enough to earn him a role in the NFL, but improving his pass defense will elevate his game and draft stock.
- Played 4 years of college football as a Defensive Tackle and Long Snapper at Division 3 Rhodes College.
- Experience in data collection/analysis/scouting for both Football and Baseball.
- Georgia native and firm believer that Georgia sports teams are cursed.