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Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley is the most talented cornerback in the 2021 NFL draft. However, due to a lingering back injury it’s possible Farley may not be the first corner selected in three weeks.
The 6-foot-2, 197-pound defensive back, who was clocked under 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, underwent a back procedure last month. The procedure was done in time so Farley would be 100% for training camp.
That didn’t stop draft analysts and the NFL scouting community from wondering if the injury would follow him into the league. After all, it is a back injury and even minor back injuries can be problematic.
According to Farley’s camp, everyone can relax.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted on Friday that Farley’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the cornerback underwent a medical re-check and would still go in the first round.
The agent for Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley, @DrewJRosenhaus, said a “bunch of team doctors and trainers” told him after today’s medical recheck in Indianapolis that Farley “did well with his physical regarding his back and is still expected to go in the first round.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2021
This is significant if multiple teams participated in the medical re-check. Sure, some teams could still drop Farley from their board in the first round, but if the physical regarding his back was good, he will not fall out of the first round.
Farley has only played cornerback for two years. And he got significantly better the second season. Remember, in his first career game, he intercepted two passes and had a sack.
Cornerbacks with Farley’s combination of size and speed are rare.
Here’s hoping the former Hokie hear’s his name called very early on Thursday, April 29.