Ourlads' Profile:
2022 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about STERLING WEATHERFORD:
Miami (OH), 6037 218 4.75. Three-year starter, Cicero, IN. Second-team All-MAC in 2021. Instinctive safety with size and height. Played mostly quarters, Cover two and in the box. Also had reps as a one high safety. As a Cover two safety can open his hips and get off the hash playing the ball in the deep half. Processes route combinations and gets a read on the delivery key. Shows playmaking ability. Has ball skills to attack the catch point and extend for interception opportunities. Uses his height and leaping ability to high point the ball. Quick to break on the throw in front of him, he has solid pop thumping receivers on the catch. In quarters, flashes ability to match tight ends with enough speed to stay with most verticals. Tracks well moving downhill to the alley. Lining up in the box he takes deep drops and can get under an intermediate route and find the throwing lane. Shows linebacker instincts chasing from the box to the perimeter. Has decent range from the box and flashes fundamental tackling skills to wrap and finish. Has been used effectively to blitz the edge lined up as a strong safety. Somewhat of a straight-line runner he has some trouble making plays in space on the perimeter. Will miss a tackle on a cutback. As one high, safety range is limited. Change of direction is inhibited by some hip tightness. When matched up he gets separated by quick route breaks. Plays like a linebacker at times and he could project there. Was impressive during Senior Bowl practices and had some solid reps as a linebacker.
2021 stats: 67 T, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 4 PBU, 1 FR, 2 INT. Sixth/seventh round. (A-31 3/8, H-8 1/4, VJ-36, SS-4.33).