After Vernon Hargreaves’ breakout freshman season and sensational sophomore season at Florida, the skeptics started to poke holes in his game in 2015.
Suddenly, his size — which hadn’t changed — became an issue. His speed was a topic of concern: Was he fast enough to cover deep routes? Could he cover in man or was he more of a product of zone schemes?
One anonymous NFL scout went so far as to say Hargreaves will be a bust.
This anon scout said "He's an outstanding technician," about Vernon Hargreaves? Outrageous! (Am I doing this right?) pic.twitter.com/gd1zSC8m70
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) April 27, 2016
Hargreaves entered the fall battling Jalen Ramsey to be the first cornerback selected in the NFL draft. Instead, he became the third cornerback taken, also going after Eli Apple.
But Hargreaves found a new home in his old home — with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who couldn’t have been more impressed by what they saw during rookie orientation this weekend.
Today was Vernon Hargreaves' first practice with the Buccaneers ?
MORE: https://t.co/rKed3ETLdt https://t.co/K6ZQOckbqa
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 6, 2016
Hargreaves went through defensive back drills as if he were connected to a conveyor belt, easing in and out of back pedals with explosive bursts.
“I was mostly looking at the other side, but I heard all the coaches raving about him,” head coach Dirk Koetter told the Tampa Bay Times.
“It’s his quickness and how good of a tackler he is. We’re going to start him off working both inside and outside. Both with the vets and with the rooks, we’re looking to find that perfect nickel, and he’s one of the guys we’re looking at for sure.”
The Bucs brought in Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes from Miami and already have former Mississippi State standout Johnthan Banks at the other corner.
Hargreaves told Bucs.com it doesn’t matter where he plays — as long as he gets the opportunity.
“I’m excited for (playing nickel),” he told the site. “I want to play wherever I can play, wherever I fit in. It’s perfect for me.”
Hargreaves spent most of the weekend smiling, and why not? He has his new contract, a four-year $14.2 million deal that included an $8.5 million signing bonus and doesn’t need help finding a new favorite restaurant in a strange city.
One thing he couldn’t do is toast himself: He’s still just 20 and won’t turn 21 until June.
After Sunday’s practice, he was heading back to his mom’s house in Tampa for some of his favorite meals.
“After minicamp, I’ll be right out at the crib,” Hargreaves told the Times. “But after these three days, it’s every night. She’s getting a phone call from me.
“It’s awesome. I couldn’t have scripted it any better. It’s great to be home. Right in my back yard.”
The homecoming will continue, of course.
The Bucs open next season against Atlanta, which selected Hargreaves’ former teammate, Keanu Neal.
Hargreaves smiled, too, when asked about that.
Vernon Hargreaves and @GatorsFB teammate @Keanu_Neal have talked about Week 1 since the day they were drafted #Bucs pic.twitter.com/mnlnJASLvh
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) May 6, 2016
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
