30-Days, 30 Prospects: DAY 21 – Boise State Safety JL Skinner

When it comes to Boise State safety JL Skinner, he is about as physical and athletic as it gets at the safety position. In 2022, Skinner tallied 65 tackles and 4 interceptions while shutting down receivers, earning an excellent 37.8 QB-rating when targeted. In 2021, he showed more of the physical side of his game, crushing opponents with 92 total tackles and 7 tackles for loss.

Skinner shows a high level of intuition and fundamentals, reading offenses and reacting quickly, while closing in with a burst while in zone coverage. While in man coverage, he shows imposing physicality at the line, rerouting receivers and tight-ends alike. He also has the ball skills and leaping ability to go up and cause turnovers at any given play. Skinner is also excellent at defending the run, as he fully commits his body in effort to fill gaps and stifle the runner. He is also an adequate tackler when closing in on the ball carrier.

Skinner must show commitment to the film room in efforts to master route recognition and vision at the position. Additionally, he shows an inconsistency with shedding blocks, often getting “caught in the scrum” when offensive linemen reach the second level and close in on him.

To sum it up, Skinner’s upside greatly exceeds any discrepancies that he may currently have, as they are mostly issues that could be solved through coaching and film study. The Raiders should highly consider the 6′ 4″, 210-lb physical playmaker at #109-overall or as early as #100 on Day-2, as Skinner contains all of the intangibles to be a starter in the secondary.