Clemson CB Andrew Booth

6-foot
194 pounds

Yahoo Sports' 2022 NFL draft grade

6.23 — possible first-rounder; possible immediate starter

TL;DR scouting report

Strong competitor who has very good talent and athleticism to profile as a potential CB1 in time at the next level

The skinny

A 5-star Rivals recruit (No. 14 nationally) in the Class of 2019, Booth chose the Tigers and saw limited action in 13 games as a true freshman, making four tackles. He started four of 11 games in 2020, with 27 tackles (2.5 for losses), one sack, six passes defended, two interceptions and a fumble recovery returned for a TD. As a junior last season, Booth tallied 39 tackles (three for losses), five pass breakups and three interceptions in 11 starts. He declared early for the 2022 NFL draft but was unable to work out at the NFL combine or Clemson's pro day following a quad injury suffered while training for the 40-yard dash.

Upside

• Nicely put-together athlete — stronger than he looks with quick-twitch athleticism

• Adequate height, weight, length to hold up vs. physical receivers

• Light, quick feet to react to speed, shiftiness

• Smooth and patient in his backpedal

• Displays some good burst and explosion in his movement

• Capable of some highlight-reel plays — absurd body control and timing

• Playmaking potential on display past two seasons — 5 INTs, 14 PDs on 76 targets

• Appears to have potential in off-man coverage — closes hard, fast from his cushion

• Potential to develop in press-man — good initial punch and balance

• Georgia looked his way exactly once in first three quarters

• Won't take cheese — doesn't readily fall for play action, double moves, misdirection

• Good competitive temperament — plays with a chip on his shoulder

• Will drive downhill on short passing game, run plays and make presence felt

• Sniffs out screens beautifully

• Only one defensive penalty over three seasons

• Played some of his best ball down the stretch last season

• Just starting to realize his vast potential

• Very few gaping holes in his game, talent-wise

Downside

• Unable to test at combine, pro day following quad injury suffered during pre-draft training

• Fast but doesn't appear to have that extra gear to stick stride-for-stride with elite speed

• Undressed vs. NC State — peppered with short stuff by WR Emeka Emezie

• Eyes can wander in zone coverage — will lose sight of his man

• Gets a little greedy at times going for the ball

• Somewhat of a reckless tackler — loses proper form at times

• Takes some false steps in coverage — wasted movement

• Played heavy dose of zone in Clemson's 2021 scheme

• Almost never used in the slot

• Still somewhat green — fewer than 1,000 defensive snaps in three seasons

• Limited special-teams experience since freshman year

• Guilty of five penalties as freshman on 69 special-teams snaps

Best-suited destination

Booth looks like a fairly diverse corner, coverage-wise, should be able to fit as an outside corner in most defensive systems. Although he appeared to handle a heavier dose of zone coverage, we think he might be best in a man-heavier system where he can lock up with faster receivers.

Did you know

Booth was ejected as a freshman for throwing a punch at Louisville's Trennell Troutman in 2019, and Booth was made by head coach Dabo Swinney to ride back seven hours in the team's manager bus instead of flying home on the team's charter flight.

Player comp

Jaire Alexander

Expected draft range

Top-25 pick