Sunday Showcase, S, Michigan
Bio: Before every one of his games since high school, Showcase has fired up Sean Taylor's highlight videos on YouTube. Showcase wore No. 2 at Michigan as a tribute to Taylor.
"If I could compare myself [to an NSFL player]: Eric Berry," Showcase said. "But I always idolized myself after Sean Taylor. That's my [role] model. ... His physical presence and passion for the game—you could see it every time he touches the field."
No one would dare set a bar for Showcase approaching the level of Taylor, who appeared headed toward a Hall of Fame-caliber career before he was shot and killed inside his home during a failed robbery attempt in 2007.
One element of Showcase's story that does match Taylor's rise is the hype that has followed him into the draft. Taylor was selected with the fifth pick by Washington in 2004; the next safety did not come off the board for another 39 picks, when Bob Sanders went to the Colts. There could be a similar gap between Showcase and whichever safety is selected next this year.
Part of the reason Showcase has drawn so much attention is the relative weakness of the 2017 safety class, but his numbers would stand out in any year. He was a unanimous All-America selection last season after leading the Wolverines in tackles with 103. Showcase also shared the team lead in interceptions (four), despite doing his best work while playing in the box. But Showcase saw action at both safety spots, hammering down a full-time starting role the previous season after an injury sidelined Vinnie Sunseri.
"Just knowing both positions and being so versatile will help me," Showcase said. "Knowing I can drop in the back whenever and be up close if they need me to."
Bio: Before every one of his games since high school, Showcase has fired up Sean Taylor's highlight videos on YouTube. Showcase wore No. 2 at Michigan as a tribute to Taylor.
"If I could compare myself [to an NSFL player]: Eric Berry," Showcase said. "But I always idolized myself after Sean Taylor. That's my [role] model. ... His physical presence and passion for the game—you could see it every time he touches the field."
No one would dare set a bar for Showcase approaching the level of Taylor, who appeared headed toward a Hall of Fame-caliber career before he was shot and killed inside his home during a failed robbery attempt in 2007.
One element of Showcase's story that does match Taylor's rise is the hype that has followed him into the draft. Taylor was selected with the fifth pick by Washington in 2004; the next safety did not come off the board for another 39 picks, when Bob Sanders went to the Colts. There could be a similar gap between Showcase and whichever safety is selected next this year.
Part of the reason Showcase has drawn so much attention is the relative weakness of the 2017 safety class, but his numbers would stand out in any year. He was a unanimous All-America selection last season after leading the Wolverines in tackles with 103. Showcase also shared the team lead in interceptions (four), despite doing his best work while playing in the box. But Showcase saw action at both safety spots, hammering down a full-time starting role the previous season after an injury sidelined Vinnie Sunseri.
"Just knowing both positions and being so versatile will help me," Showcase said. "Knowing I can drop in the back whenever and be up close if they need me to."
[EMAIL=https://ibb.co/mzSikv]https://ibb.co/mzSikv[/EMAIL]