DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY

MARYLAND

#9

PROJECTION:  1st-2nd Round     COMPARISON:  Troy Williamson

CLASS JUNIOR

HEIGHT 6-3

WEIGHT 205 lbs.

HOMETOWN Silver Spring, MD

HIGH SCHOOL McDonogh

BIRTHDAY 2/26/1987

SCOUTING REPORT

STRENGTHS: Exceptional speed & athleticism...Creates after the catch...Good height & frame...Versatile

WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent hands...Only average college production...Not very physical...Still unpolished

OVERALL: A three year starter, Darrius Heyward-Bey was a top high school prospect because of his natural speed. After redshirting in 2005, he started 10 games as a freshman, leading the team in catches and earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Heyward-Bey improved his stats as a sophomore and posted similar numbers as junior. He led the team in catches each of his three seasons despite not putting up amazing numbers. Heyward-Bey’s top attribute is blazing speed as he posted the top 40 yard dash time for any receiver at the combine (4.30). He shows excellent acceleration and explosion off the LOS, which forces defensive backs to play off to respect his speed and creates more opportunity for screens and short passes for him. Heyward-Bey is elusive after the catch and has the speed to take it the distance on every play. He is very raw in several aspects of his game and needs to continue to develop and become a more complete receiver. Heyward-Bey is a good, but not great route runner and has much room to improve. He isn’t very physical, but won’t avoid contact and will go over the middle. Heyward-Bey has good hands when he watches the ball into his hands, but he lacks consistent concentration and will have mental lapses which leads to dropped balls. He has prototypical height for a receiver and has a frame to get a tad stronger. Heyward-Bey has been dinged up a few times over his career so durability is a minor concern. He shows excellent COD ability.

BOTTOM LINE: Heyward-Bey is a phenomenal track athlete with natural tools who is still developing as a receiver and if he can continue to improve his route running and concentration then the sky is the limit.

2008 STATISTICS