2016 NFL Combine Preview: USC CB Kevon Seymour

Kevon Seymour heads to the 2016 NFL Combine hoping to make some waves in the 40-yard dash as he works to prove to pro scouts that he is worth Day 2 draft pick.

A string of unlucky injuries limited the ceiling on Kevon Seymour’s senior-year success, but the USC cornerback still has a strong chance to be drafted and will be looking to improve his stock at the NFL Combine this week.

What did he do at USC?

Seymour arrived at USC in 2012 and started out as a back up and special teams contributor. In 2013 he established himself as a starter in the final 11 games, enjoying a break out outing against Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl. With a team-best seven tackles, one for loss, and a deflection he earned Defensive Outperformer of the Game honors.

Spring boarding off of his exceptional bowl performance, Seymour had a strong junior campaign in 2014. He started every game and led the team with 13 deflections. He also had 49 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery as he and Adoree’ Jackson developed into one of the strongest cornerback pairings in the country.

Unfortunately the promise of the pairing never quite lived up to the billing. While battling injury in 2015, Seymour’s production slowed. He tweaked his knee in fall camp and sprained it against Idaho, missing the Trojans’ contests against Stanford and Arizona State. Ahead of the Holiday Bowl against Wisconsin Seymour sprained his ankle and missed that game as well.

Seymour finished his USC career with 126 tackes, 19 deflections and three interceptions with 24 career starts.

What’s his current draft stock?

Going into his senior season Seymour was expected to build off of his junior production and rise in the draft conversation. However, the combination of injuries and the decision by the USC defensive staff to favor others like Iman Marshall over him in distributing playing time has left Seymour in a draft limbo of sorts.

NFLDraftScout.com still rates Seymour as a fifth or sixth round prospect while ESPN agrees that he is destined for a Day 3 selection.

Seymour is rated as the No. 24 cornerback available in this year’s draft by CBSSports.com.

Scouts like his toughness and hard-hitting ability and give him a passing grade in coverage skills, but there is a question about his lacking the elite qualities to make it as a corner in the NFL.

What can he improve at the Combine?

Seymour is expected to challenge for the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine and will almost certainly compete for the top time among cornerbacks in Indianapolis.

More from Reign of Troy

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• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

Though there are obvious criticisms of the 40-yard dash as an evaluation of potential NFL success, many a workout warrior has improved their draft stock on Combine numbers alone. Seymour can help his case by ranking among the top runners at the Combine this year.

In interviews Seymour will have to answer for his drop off in production as a senior, but he’ll also have the opportunity to impress teams with his top-level character and the story of his rise out of one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pasadena known as the Snake Pits.

While it won’t be easy for Seymour to boost himself into a Day 2 pick, the potential to improve his place is there.