Jaguars Steal Coveted Cornerback
At the conclusion of the draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed an intriguing athlete for the defensive secondary. Certainly a position worthy of stockpiling in Jacksonville. Yes, the Jaguars addressed the need with their first pick of the draft. But there must be competition among the players to elevate the talent on a daily basis.
But what can be the realistic expectation for an undrafted free agent? Typically, a group of undrafted free agents are looked as practice squad bodies, with the hope of seeing the field on special teams, one day. Nonetheless, cornerback Luq Barcoo looks to break this stigma that haunts un-drafted free agents.
And Barcoo is a different undrafted free agent. He has lofty goals. He enters Jacksonville with aspirations to be a starter on defense. Barcoo brings two assets that will help him achieve playing time in Jacksonville this season.
Aaron Wilson@AaronWilson_NFLSan Diego State corner Luq Barcoo @luqmanbarcoo, has signed with the Jaguars for a record-breaking $160K guarantee. Deal includes $20K signing bonus, per league source. Per NFLPA records, deal was negotiated by agent Josh Arnold of Synergy Sports International @SynergySportInt
At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Barcoo fits the mold of an NFL cornerback. His length enables him to showcase his abilities to attack taller receivers in press coverage. Barcoo is able to compliment his height with 32 inch arms, which come in handy for a defender looking to close up space in coverage.
Fortunately for the Jaguars, these physical attributes translate to unique athleticism. Barqoo did not have the opportunity to shine at the NFL Combine three months ago. He hoped to showcase his talents at a scheduled Pro Day, that was cancelled due to COVID-19. Leaving Barcoo off the radar for many pro scouts.
However, he participated and directed his own Pro Day in early April. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, had a 41-inch vertical leap, and a broad jump of 11 feet and three inches. Barcoo checked the boxes in time for the draft. But still never heard his name from the podium.
No combine, no proday, no problem. Here is a video conducted by local combine trainers Ronnie Taylor and Nate Ross. We used @JimNagy_SB presentation on how to film a pro day as best as we could. Link to full videos for better verification will be in my bio by tonight. God bless! pic.twitter.com/ar7IbMlSri
— Luq Barcoo (@luqmanbarcoo) April 9, 2020
Respect the Skills
After spending time on both sides of the ball (offense and defense) at junior college, Grossmont College, Barcoo headed 20 miles southwest to San Diego State. No definite position on the field. However, as a member of the Aztec secondary in 2019, Barcoo turned heads.
And many of the quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference wish they would have turned their heads away from Barcoo in 2019. Check the tape! In fact, Barcoo led the nation with nine interceptions and 16 passes defended last season. In a game against Colorado State, Barcoo snared three consecutive interceptions on three straight defensive plays. Wow! It’s these kind of statistics that made Barcoo a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the top cornerback in the nation.
Despite only playing cornerback for two full seasons, Barcoo gained valuable experience in the pass-happy Mountain West Conference. Bottom line, Barcoo is a playmaker and a ballhawk. His instincts and burst allow him to jump a route. Likewise his recovery speed and length allow him to cover over the top.
He will need to add weight this offseason to help with the physicality of the top NFL receivers. He is a raw talent with a chip on his shoulder. Furthermore, returning cornerback Tre Herndon will need to be on the lookout for Barcoo once camp begins. This youngster from San Diego State is hungry and will be looking to make an impact immediately.
