How does Jalon Kilgore Best Fit in the Commanders’ Secondary?

Player Overview

Before he stepped on a football for the Gamecocks, Jalon Kilgore was a multisport athlete in Eatonton, Georgia. He was a standout sprinter and champion long jumper in track and field. On the football field, Jalon played both safety and receiver, even catching passes from older brother Gerald. As a recruit, Jalon did not receive an offer from Georgia, but received offers from Oklahoma, Florida, Florida State, and many other schools. He decided to follow big brother Gerald to South Carolina.

An injury to starter Nick Emmanwori forced Jalon into action immediately. In his first game, Jalon recorded 12 tackles. From that point on he was a starter for the Gamecocks at safety and nickel. He played the season and earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors. For an encore, Jalon had a productive season from a turnover standpoint as one of the leaders in the nation in interceptions. He was named permanent captain for his junior year. Although he didn’t create as many turnovers, he was a team leader in tackles and passes defended. Jalon was named second-team All-SEC as a sophomore and junior.

Strengths

• Ideal size and athleticism for the position
• Experience playing outside CB, nickel, and safety
• Can stay with tight ends and bigger slot receivers in man coverage
• Shows understanding of zone coverage concepts
• Finds the ball in the air with hands to take it away
• Active in the run game with ability to come from depth and make plays

Weaknesses

• Less productive junior season after breakout sophomore campaign
• Lack of agility can make it difficult to stay with receivers at the top of their routes
• Hitting power is inconsistent
• Can dive at runner instead of keeping his feet and driving through players

Let’s See His Work

How He Fits on the Commanders

While I expect the Commanders to get help for the safety position in free agency, this draft has several talented options at safety. With no safety under contract beyond the upcoming season, the draft would be an opportunity to find a prospect Daronte Jones thinks is ideal for his defense and have him under contract for the next four to five years. With the possibility of using more three-safety schemes on defense, an athletic, versatile safety should allow Jones to run various schemes and disguise coverages.

Athleticism and versatility are two calling cards of Jalon Kilgore’s play. He looks like he could be a big nickel defender at the next level, supporting the run while also dropping into coverage against tight ends, running backs, and big slot receivers. Kilgore might struggle with quicker receivers in the slot, but that’s when he could rotate to a more traditional safety spot and play on the backend of the defense.

Having to play multiple positions in college means his technique is a little underdeveloped, but he should improve with a more focused role at the next level. What might hurt Kilgore and make him a Day 3 prospect is if teams see him as a positionless athlete rather than a versatile defender that needs more experience in a defined role. I would not be surprised if Jalon Kilgore’s best football is ahead of him.