2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Dorian Strong, #44 |
| School (Code) | Virginia Tech (VAPI) |
| DOB, Class Yr | 03/14/2002, Fourth-Year Junior. |
| Height, Weight | 5110, 178 |
| 40 Yd Dash | 4.50 |
| Position/Depth | CB, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | N/A |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | @MABC, @FLST, PAPT, INPU, VAOD |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 11/13/23 |
Per Year Stats
| 2023 | 10 GP (10 GS), 16 Tkls, 0.5 TFL, 3 INT, 5 PBU |
| 2022 | 4 GP (4 GS), 10 Tkls, 3 PBU, 1 FR |
| 2021 | 13 GP (10 GS), 23 Tkls, 1.0 TFL 1 INT, 6 PBU |
| 2020 | 11 GP (5 GS), 22 Tkls, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR |
Player Summary:
Four-year starter with moderate height/weight measurements and competitive length. Lines up primarily as the field corner in Virginia Tech’s 4-2-5 defense. High-quality cover corner who appears confident in both man and zone coverage. Most comfortable in press-man coverage where he can shoot quick, heavy hands at the POA to establish leverage off the ball. Smoothly transitions into bump-and-run coverage with fluid hip flexibility; Executes his man turn with no wasted motion while in phase. Not overly handsy and doesn’t panic when targeted on 50/50 balls to the third level. Strong ball judgment, ball reactions, and timing at the catch point. Uses great length, athleticism, and physicality to play through the hands and force incompletions on contested catches. Flashes dependable hands-catching ability and has accumulated considerable ball production since his freshman season. Possesses proficient play speed to trail the back hip of the receiver on short/intermediate in-breaking routes across the field. Offers decent long/top-end speed when covering deep routes to the third level. Boasts quality COD to maintain leverage and cushion at the top of the route when in man coverage. Could afford to be more physical at the stem to disrupt route progression on timing routes. Drops efficiently into zone coverage and exhibits heady awareness/instincts to eliminate throwing windows. More of a deep zone corner than a cover two corner. Ankle biter with mediocre tackling ability in open space. Does not place enough attention on the run-defending aspect of his game. His ceiling hinges on his willingness to improve his tackling ability early in his professional career. Size concerns might hurt his draft stock, but he plays much larger than his 5’11, 178-pound frame would indicate. Would benefit from adding 10-15 pounds during the pre-draft process.
Scheme Fit:
Field corner with man coverage and deep zone responsibilities on the outside
Power Statement:
Strong is a highly skilled and confident cover corner with valuable coverage/scheme versatility, significant ball skills, and ample play speed to remain competitive in zone & man coverage at the next level.
