NCAA Scouting - Player Profile:
Antoine Cason, CB
by Paul Hopkins
5/3/2008
 
Antoine Cason is destined to play professional football. You only have to look at his family's background to see that this standout cornerback from the University of Arizona was destined for the pro's.
 
His father Wendell played college football for the Oregon Ducks before moving onto the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons between 1984 and 1987. His brother Dione competed in track at Washington State University. He is the cousin of NFL special teamer Aveion Cason.
 
Upon arrival at Arizona Cason made an immediate impact. In his very first collegiate game (which he started) he was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the week. He went on to play every snap in his first two years in college, on his way picking up many awards – such as the Pac-10 freshman of the year in his first year.
 
He saved his finest season for his senior year, when he recorded career high's in tackles (71), passes broken up (14) and interceptions (5 returned for 164 yards). Two of these interceptions were returned for touchdowns, as were two punts.
 
At the end of the college season, Cason was tipped as being a 1st round prospect, since then however, his stock seems to have fallen. He has the pedigree and a lot of intangibles that could see him flourish at the pro level, but the measurables may see him fall, and fall quite dramatically come draft day. The potential therefore is there for him to be a steal for a franchise, as low as the second or even third round.
 
His recent performance in the combine which saw him ranked as one of the standouts in the bench press, vertical jump, broad jump and the 20 yard shuttle should have done much to convince potential employers of his credentials.
 
What we like about Cason
 
Cason is a playmaker, pure and simple. Put the ball in his hands and something is likely to happen, be that on defence or special teams. Put the ball near him and it's possible that he'll come out with it. He displays a confident demeanour which marks him out a vocal team leader and others respond to his play. These intangibles make him a highly intriguing prospect that, despite what statistics and measureables may say, is able to play football.
 
As already mentioned, Cason has an excellent background and pedigree for pro football. This gives him a good intelligence for the game of football, and these tremendous instincts often mask over his weaknesses.
 
Physically, Cason has good size to be a zone CB, and his long arms add to his strong play-making ability. Cason is not particularly quick but over a short distance can get to the play rapidly.
 
Question marks over Cason
 
Speed is the biggest question mark over Cason, and while he lacks speed, he can make a quick burst, as demonstrated by his success in the 20 yard shuttle at the combine. Despite this, it is still the biggest question mark over him.
 
Physically, like many players in the college game, he needs to add some strength to his body, but fortunately Cason can do this without diminishing his physical tools. He may also not be a great fit for every defensive scheme, but in the right one, which allows him to play to his play-making strengths, he can flourish.
 
Highlight of his college career
 
His performance on November 15, 2007 in a 34-24 win against the then No.2 ranked Oregon Ducks included both an interception return and punt return for touchdowns. In December 2007 he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award for being best defensive back in the country, on the back of being a consensus All-American.
 
Other snippets of info

• Similar players to Cason in the NFL are Chris McAlister of the Baltimore Ravens.

• Antoine majors in Political Science.

• After his first collegiate game, Antoine was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the week.