Trey Rucker, SAF, Oklahoma State
Size:
Height: 5’11” (v) | Weight: 211 lbs (v)
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“Trey Rucker is a physical, downhill defender whose skill set shines as a read-and-react box safety.”
Strengths:
Alignment-versatile
Tackling machine
Downhill instincts
Concerns:
Twitch
Long speed
Hips
Comfortability playing at depth
Film Analysis:
Trey Rucker is a physical, downhill defender whose skill set shines as a read-and-react box safety. He is alignment-versatile and has experience at off-ball linebacker, nickel, and free safety. He plays best closer to the line of scrimmage, however. Former transfer from Wake Forest.
Rucker is best as a run defender, where his instincts and tackling ability showcase a nuanced player at limited depth. He’s a read-and-react athlete who trusts his eyes and is quick to trigger toward the ball-carrier. Rucker takes excellent pursuit angles in the fringe areas and is excellent on third downs when asked to blitz. He has the ability as a run defender that could allow teams to align him inside the box as a hybrid defender. Plays a physical brand of football that defensive coordinators have a fondness for. Sure tackler in space who varies his approach when bringing down ball-carriers.
In coverage, Rucker has shown the ability to work over tight ends in the slot, as well as drop back to the upper third as a free safety. His hips and athletic profile remain limited, but Rucker does a fine job of staying in phase when asked to press up on targets out of the slot. He uses the contact window well and fights through the hands of larger pass-catchers with the ball on arrival. Is best when he keeps everything in front, instead of having to chase and flip his back to the QB.
Concerns remain about his overall twitch and athleticism, along with his comfortability as a true center-field defender or field safety in two-high looks. Rucker is best when playing near the line of scrimmage. Long speed is also a concern, and aligning him as the final line of defense against more fleet of foot wideouts would be a disservice to his skill set.
Overall, Rucker projects as a hybrid second-level defender with the versatility and tackling ability to challenge for snaps on special teams.
Prospect Projection: Priority UDFA
Written By: Ryan Fowler
