Fentrell Cypress II, CB, Florida State
Size:
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 188 lbs
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-ACC (2022)
“Fentrell Cypress II projects as a multi-phase contributor whose man coverage ability and instincts showcase a rotational piece inside an NFL secondary.”
Strengths:
Fluid footwork
Instincts
Multi-phase contributor
Reactive athleticism
Concerns:
Play strength
Ability to redirect
Consistency in pursuit angles vs. run
Film Analysis:
Fentrell Cypress II projects as a multi-phase contributor whose man coverage ability and instincts showcase a rotational piece inside an NFL secondary. He’s aligned primarily on the outside in 2023 for the Seminoles and in his four years at Virginia. He enters 2024 as one of the ACC’s most experienced corners with more than 1,500 snaps under his belt.
In man, Cypress can align with his shoulders neutral to the line of scrimmage or with his back to the near sideline. Stays low in his backpedal and has the necessary footwork to tempo and maintain pace with varying speeds in front of him. Has experience and comfortability working both in off and press-man situations. Cypress uses his hands well to disrupt timing but can, at times, become out of sync with his feet leading to lost reps. Excellent patient down the field to stay in phase and has shown on multiple occasions to accelerate/decelerate against double moves. Not a high-level pure cover corner, but Cypress does a nice job of fighting for position at a variety of depths with an understanding of how to use the sideline as an extra defender.
In zone, Cypress’ atypical Cover 3 body type works well downhill. Communication is evident, as is the understanding of countering certain concepts as the middle defender. Will relay signals to safeties pre-snap when faced with bunch sets or trips to his side, including if he identifies a Hi-Lo concept at the initial stages of a play. Highly productive playmaker in space (15 PBUs) and does a nice job of marrying zone discipline with the hunger to make a play on the football.
As a run defender, Cypress shows flashes of a high-level tackler in the open field. However, it remains an inconsistent part of his game as his pursuit angles and overall play strength are outliers that prohibit him from consistently making plays in the fringe areas. Not shy in sticking his face in the mud at the line of scrimmage but can be overpowered and blocked away from plays (LSU).
Would like to see Cypress add strength to his frame, along with more nuance in his redirect ability in man. Sluggish and sloppy transitions are evident at times on film. If issues persist, could limit his profile to a zone-only type of defender.
Overall, Cypress is a competitive corner with a knack for making plays on the football. He projects immediately into a primary zone defense but improving the nuances in his game in man coverage will showcase a prospect teams will prioritize when searching for depth in the draft. Another campaign inside the Seminoles’ secondary, along with working under DB coach Patrick Surtain Sr., should only improve Cypress’ profile as the year progresses.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
