The University of Mississippi Athletics
More on Steelers' Selection of Golson
5/1/2015 | Football, Blog
Welcome to Pittsburgh...and welcome to #SteelersNation, @Quez_G!#SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/oY8wZc10Kk
-- Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 2, 2015Congrats Senquez Golson! Drafted 56th overall in the 2015 #NFLDRAFT by the Pittsburgh Steelers. #HottyToddy #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/EPGayDNOu7
-- Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) May 2, 2015Ole Miss added to its already strong NFL presence with the selection of All-America cornerback Senquez Golson, who was drafted in the second round (56th overall selection) by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night.
He became the second player drafted under head coach Hugh Freeze and the highest Ole Miss draft pick since Dexter McCluster was drafted in the second round (36th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010.
Golson, the Rebels' first consensus and unanimous All-American since 2008, led the SEC and finished second nationally with a school record-tying 10 interceptions. ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper called it one of the best picks of the first and second rounds.Â
"That's one of the best picks of the second round," Kiper said. "Senquez Golson is an interception supreme. He had 16 career picks. He's a kid who's pound for pound one of the best football players in this draft. He has wide receiver hands.Â
"This kid is a heck of a football player. He's spunky, he will hit you, and when there's an opportunity to get a turnover, he's not going to drop the football. He's going to come away with the interception and get you the turnover and get you possession of the football."
Kiper's colleague's, fellow ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay, shared high praise for Golson.
"For a smaller corner, he will support the run," McShay said. "He's tough, he's physical, he's aggressive, he's everything you look for. You wish he was bigger and longer, but he plays to his potential and ability, and he's not afraid to mix it up."
Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake noted his "unusual ball skills" and toughness, among attributes that met the criteria to become a second-round pick.
"He is a ball-hawking type of corner," Lake said. "He has very good quickness, very good anticipation and awareness, and we are looking forward to having him in the building."
Looking ahead to tomorrow, fellow All-America defensive back Cody Prewitt, a projected third or fourth-round pick by NFL.com before the draft, is the fourth-best safety available, according to McShay, and the 10th-best safety available, according to Kiper.
Here's more on Golson:
Here's more draft analysis from NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock, who rated Golson as the No. 8 cornerback and No. 62 overall prospect in the draft:
"Golson is a corner who is only 5-foot-8 and 176 pounds, but what separates him is his ball skills. He played minor league baseball. The question is, how much does size matter? Golson is one of the best pure zone corners I've seen."Â
Here's what ESPN had to say about Golson on their draft tracker:
What he brings: He's a much better run defender than you'd expect given his small stature, and is fearless in attacking ball carriers. His cover skills are excellent, with his explosiveness and quickness, but he can get exposed by bigger receivers at times.
How he fits: The Steelers fill another big need on defense with Golson. After notching just 11 interceptions last season, they needed to find a playmaker in the back end. Golson, who has excellent anticipation skills and production (9 INTs in 2014), will help upgrade them in that department.
VIDEO: Steelers.com's highlight reel of Golson
VIDEO: ESPN's Path to the Draft with some of the top plays by Golson
