Derek Stingley Jr. is a former 5-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 1 player in the 2019 recruiting class. Stingley Jr. splashed onto the scene, starting as a true freshman for the 2019 National Champion LSU Tigers. Stingley Jr. was an impact player for the Tigers, leading the team with six interceptions and also showing his physicality by accounting for more than 30 tackles. Stingley Jr.’s 2020 and 2021 seasons have been inconsistent at best due to a bevy of coaching changes and missing games due to injuries. Stingley Jr. has elite speed and fluid hips that allow him to match wide receivers step for step in and out of breaks while also possessing a rare instinctual ability to intercept passes thrown his way. Stingley Jr.’s elite athleticism and rare ball skills make him a generational talent at cornerback.

Ideal Role: Stingley Jr. will be best served as an outside corner matched up with the opposing team’s best WR. Stingley Jr. will be able to use his length, athleticism, and speed to match up with the most athletic boundary WRs.

Scheme Fit: Press-man scheme where he can use his strength to press WRs and disrupt the timing of opposing offenses. He can play in schemes where there are zone concepts integrated so he can get on the quarterback and use his instincts to intercept passes.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: Alabama (2019), Georgia (2019), Texas A&M (2020), Alabama (2020), UCLA (2021), Central Michigan (2021)

Best Game Studied: Georgia (2019)

Worst Game Studied: Alabama (2020)

Man Coverage Skills: See Above.

Zone Coverage Skills: Shows great instincts in zone coverage. He trusts his eyes and it allows him to properly read the quarterback and intercept passes. He’s a smart player and understands route concepts. Does a great job of keeping leverage on WRs that are trying to stem and attack his leverage. 

Ball Skills: The rarest part of Stingley Jr.’s traits. Intercepts the ball at a high level. Wins most of the 50/50 balls thrown his way. Has the ability to track the deep ball and turn into a WR. Has great patience with the ball in the air. Elite ball skills.

Tackling: A good tackler that showed different tackling techniques. Uses his 200-pound frame to get in ball-carriers’ way. An efficient tackler that never shies away from contact. A reliable run fit defender

Versatility: Showed the ability to play some nickel corner and play some safety. Has the quick-twitch traits that would allow for him to be an effective nickel. Followed opposing WRs all over the field, so he has the skill set to play in multiple positions as a DB.

Competitive Toughness: See Above.

Functional Athleticism: Has the prototype build at 6-foot and 195 pounds combined with rare elite athletic traits. Has the quick twitch and explosiveness to cover short and intermediate routes and also has the great down-the-field speed to run with WRs in the deeper portions of the field.

Football IQ: See Above.

Run Defending: A great run defender. Showed willingness and efficiency when tackling ball-carriers. Was asked to be a run defender in college and was a great tackling corner. Uses multiple different tackling techniques to bring the defenders to the ground. Has a couple forced fumbles from high-impact collisions he caused.

Length​​: Stingley Jr. has good length that allows him to press WRs on the line of scrimmage. This length is also on display when he is able to deflect last-second passes away from WRs. His length is not elite but he understands his body and uses his length accordingly.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 89.75/100 (First Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 89.00/100

Marino Grade: 88.50/100

Harris Grade: 90.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 91.00/100

Weissman Grade: 90.00/100

Parson Grade: 90.00/100