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Cam Hart Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
- Instinctive
- Excellent length
- Good press-man corner
- Can jam receivers
- Steady in zone coverage
- Experienced
- Quickness to carry verticals
- Can handle off-man coverage
- Smart covers up receivers in his area in zone
- Adept at taking on big receivers
- Gritty, physical defender
- Willing tackler
- Athletic upside
Weaknesses:
- Lack of big plays
- Needs to refine ball skills
- Needs to improve tackling
- A little leggy
Prospect Summary:
One of the most highly hyped players in college football this past season was Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. While Harrison had his way with almost every team he faced, one corner who played really against Harrison was Notre Dame’s Cam Hart. Hart led the way to holding Harrison to only 32 yards on three catches when they went head-to-head. In 2023, Hart totaled 21 tackles, with three forced fumbles, zero interceptions and four passes broken up. Back in 2022, he recorded 25 tackles with zero interceptions and four passes defended. His first season – 2021 – as a starter was his largest in terms of statistical production with 41 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes broken up.
For the NFL, Hart is a big, long, physical corner who would fits well as either a press-man or zone corner. Hart can play off-man coverage, but he is a bit leggy, which is normal for big cornerbacks like him. Hart has good instincts in coverage and is adept at covering up receivers who come into his area. With his height, length and strength, he is skilled at defending big receivers and battling them on contested catches. Hart might be able to do some man coverage on receiving tight ends as well. His build makes him a natural press-man corner, and he has enough quickness and athleticism to turn and run with big wideouts down the field. Hart is a good weapon to defend fade passes in the red zone and also is a willing tackler in the ground game.
A common question with big cornerbacks is if they have speed to run with NFL receivers, and Hart has speed. He is fast enough to run verticals.
For the pros, Hart could stand to improve his ball skills. He needs to work on creating more splash plays with interceptions and be more consistent at slapping passes away. In the ground game, Hart could stand to improve as a tackler, but he is willing. His tackling form and technique could stand to get better.
Hart could end up as a second- or third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He could end up being a nice value pick who turns into a solid pro starter.
Prospect Comparison:
Carlton Davis. Hart reminds me of Carlton Davis coming out of Auburn. Davis (6-1, 206) and Hart are almost identical in size. Davis was a second-round pick of Tampa Bay in 2018 and has turned into a good pro starter. Hart could follow a similar path.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
