2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB, Missouri
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, a cornerback out of Missouri. He is from Dallas, Texas and was a 3-star recruit from Duncanville High School.
Rakestraw Jr started his freshman season in 2020 for Missouri. He appeared in 9 games, recording 18 solo tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 6 passes defended.
In 2021 as a sophomore, he struggled and appeared in only 4 games. His production was minimal as he recorded only 10 solo tackles, 3 assists and 2 passes defended.
His production saw an uptick in 13 games in 2022 as a junior. He racked up 27 solo tackles, 8 assists, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 12 passes defended, 1 fumble recovered and 2 forced fumbles.
He totalled similar production as a senior in 2023, with a stat line of 24 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3.5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended and 1 forced fumble before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| 2020 | Missouri | SEC | FR | DB | 9 | 18 | 6 | 24 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2021 | Missouri | SEC | SO | DB | 4 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2022 | Missouri | SEC | JR | 13 | 27 | 8 | 35 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| *2023 | Missouri | SEC | SR | DB | 9 | 24 | 11 | 35 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | Missouri | 79 | 28 | 107 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Great speed, agility, and lateral quickness.
- Changes direction quickly and with great fluidity.
- Has solid technique when making open-field tackles.
- His technique and coordination put him in a prime position to make interceptions.
Weaknesses
- Is terrible as a press corner.
- He struggles on the inside of the field when in man coverage.
- Often struggles to keep his gaps closed while playing off his man in coverage.
- Has been prone to getting beat and giving up long touchdowns.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Mid 2nd Round
Ideal Landing Spot: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are going to be picking 22nd overall and 50th overall in the second round and they are in urgent need of a reliable corner. Their defense was exposed over the second half of the NFL season and it was easy to see that their best days were behind them for the majority of the defensive backs, most notably James Bradberry.
Selecting Rakestraw Jr in the second round would allow them to use their first-round pick to fill other needs while still getting a corner who could be the piece they need.
Rakestraw Jr has a lot of DaRon Bland in him in the sense that he could record a pick-six in one game and then allow a 70-yard touchdown later in the same game.
He is a talented corner and is certainly a defender willing to gamble in an attempt to make a play.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 2.61 to the Detroit Lions
Rakestraw Jr.
