*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
North Dakota Safety Cole Reyes Has Mid-Round Buzz
Updated July 18, 2017By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
In recent weeks, WalterFootball.com has heard from NFL sources about some under-the-radar players who have a positive buzz about them in the scouting community heading into fall training camp. In keeping that series going, North Dakota safety Cole Reyes is the latest small-school player who sources have said is on watch lists. Reyes is said to have received a 5.7 grade from National, and that translates to an estimation of a high fourth-round grade heading into his senior year.
Reyes had a productive 2016 season for the Fighting Hawks. He totaled three interceptions, two forced fumbles, eight passes broken up, 1.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 70 tackles on the year. Reyes is listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, which is excellent size for a NFL safety. As a freshman and sophomore, Reyes started and was a solid contributor in those seasons.
With a grade of 5.7, Reyes has a mid-round projection. Sources say that preseason grades can be proven to be way too high or far too low as players evolve while maturing, but Reyes has played well enough to make watch lists as a prospect to scout this fall. Thus, a lot is still up in the air for Reyes.
Reyes won’t see a lot of NFL competition on his 2017 schedule, but in the season opener, he will take on Utah, a talented power-five team. If Reyes’ draft grade ends up being similar to his preseason estimation, he could easily be invited to participate in the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine. Many small-school players have used those all-star games to improve their draft standings. With his preseason estimate of a having top-100 potential, Reyes already is a prospect to keep an eye on.
