Mel Kiper - Peterson has lead-corner potential

Kiper's Climber: WR Darnerian McCants

Kiper's Climber: TE Shad Meier

Kiper's Climber: WR Milton Wynn

Kiper's Climber: CB Willie Middlebrooks

Kiper's Climber: OT Matt Light

Kiper's Climber: WR Kevin Kasper

Kiper's Climber: CB Nate Clements

Kiper's Climber: DT Kris Jenkins

Mel Kiper's story archive

E S P N . C O M | M E L 'S B I O | C O L L E G E F O O T B A L L | H O M E

Wednesday, April 18

Peterson has lead-corner potential
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com

Editor's Note: Want to know whose stock is rising? Each Monday and Wednesday until the draft, Mel will highlight an underrated prospect -- Kiper's Climber -- who is receiving favorable reviews from NFL scouts.

Kiper's Climber | William Peterson, CB, Western Illinois

William Peterson was initally a great player and prospect at Michigan. When he started with the Wolverines as a freshman and sophomore, he was considered one of the Big Ten's top defensive backs. He played at a consistently excellent level, looking like a future All-American and a potential first-round draft choice.

Then Peterson had some off-the-field problems at Michigan. He left Ann Arbor and played at Youngstown State his junior season before moving onto Western Illinois as a senior. Although he battled through an injury last season, his performance was good enough to warrant another look at his game film from Michigan.

When he is at full strength, Peterson is potentially a lead corner in the NFL. He could immediately move in as a nickel back.

Coming out of high school, Peterson was an outstanding tailback. He rushed for over 3,000 yards before starring in Michigan's secondary. As a freshman, he had five pass breakups and then led the Wolverines in interceptions with four as a sophomore. At Western Illinois, Peterson continued his effectiveness. He had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups despite being banged up.

When he is at full strength, Peterson is potentially a lead corner in the NFL. He could immediately move in as a nickel back and work into the packages that call for extra defensive backs. He has good size (6-foot, 200 pounds), runs in the 4.5 range for the 40, and had a 38 ½-inch vertical jump at the combine.

If he shows the focus, attention to detail and consistency that a player needs at the pro level, Peterson could be a starting nickel back as a first-year player, a No. 2 cornerback in two or three years, and perhaps a lead corner. As a prospect, he has moved into the mid-second-round area after once being considered a likely draft pick between the fourth and sixth rounds.

Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories