Vitals: Athlete Jeryl Brazil, Loranger, La., 5-foot-10, 184 pounds.
Committed: July 20, 2011
ESPN Grade: 85, 4-star prospect
Picked LSU over: Alabama, Florida State, Arkansas and Tennessee, among others
State of the position: Brazil will likely play cornerback, where the Tigers are short on depth and might lose junior Tharold Simon to the NFL draft. If that happens, the speedy Brazil could see immediate playing time. He'll also return kicks, where LSU will return its two primary options in Odell Beckham, Jr. (punts) and Michael Ford (kicks).
Pros: Brazil is one of the fastest players -- maybe the fastest player -- in the 2013 class. He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at The Opening, the fastest time at the event. He has quick change of direction and gets good breaks on the ball that make him a solid candidate to play cornerback, although it's not out of the question that he could end up being used as a slot receiver where he'd give opponents trouble in space with his speed and change of direction.
Cons: Brazil is a high school quarterback who would likely need a lot of polish if he were to play receiver. He did play some defense for Loranger, but he'll need to adjust to a shift in focus. While he has ideal speed, at 5-10 (if that), he is going to be small for whatever position he plays.
Similar to/potential role: Brazil beat Trindon Holliday's Louisiana state record in the 55-meter dash with a 6.25 time. Holliday was famously touted as the fastest player ever to play college football and is one of the fastest players currently in the NFL. Holliday lacked a position, bouncing around from running back to receiver and always returning kicks. Brazil hopes to find a defined position, whether it be cornerback or wide receiver, and master it, avoiding the trap of becoming a speedy novelty act.
