STRENGTHS
Renardo is a shutdown, press cover corner. He is a quick twitch athlete who is physical and loves the challenge of defending against the top receivers at the college level. He has the size, length, speed, and competitiveness needed to be a press cover type of defensive back. He is smart and understands that press coverage is all about disrupting the rhythm of the receiver and the quarterback and making them hesitate and struggle mentally as much as physically. He is relentless in his coverage and if he gets beat he will give up the penalty rather than let the receiver be successful, adding to the mental frustration for the receiver. Renardo is quick to come up against the run and is slick at slipping blocks to make tackles but when he is in coverage his priority and obsession is to be that “mentally and physically pain in the ass”, dominating cover corner.
CONCERNS
He is physical and will give up the penalty if he gets fooled and teams are just going to have to learn to live with it if they expect him to be their shutdown press cover corner. He has played some safety but in zone coverages, his recognition skills and athletic talent are not what you would expect them to be because he plays so much press coverage.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.88
To give you an idea of his coverage talent, turn on the Florida St vs LSU game, and watch as he shuts down Malik Nabors and disrupts the passing rhythm of Jayden Daniels. It’s impressive. At the same time being able to play at that level and with that energy, for a 17-game schedule and not mix zone coverages into the defensive scheme, is unlikely. That means Renardo has to play in zone coverages, without hesitation, and with better consistency, than he does right now. Renardo reminds me a lot of the Buffalo Bills 2022 1st RD pick CB Kaiir Elam. He might have a more dominating demeanor but as far as size, athletic talent, and cover skills they are about the same.
