Separation Skills: One of the only receivers in the nation to put fear in the eyes of defenders. Excellent acceleration and top speed. Eats up cushion quickly with his explosion and suddenness. Is a legitimate vertical threat. Does a good job at pushing defenders up field, sticking his foot in the ground, and breaking off routes. Puts cornerbacks in a conundrum. Has the lateral quickness to beat press coverage, and the route running to execute digs and outs against off-coverage. Runs his routes at full speed, and comes out of his breaks without gearing down.
Ball Skills: Can be an excellent catcher of the football when he is focused. Shows soft hands at times, but will also drop easy balls. He has a tendency to allow balls into his chest. On occasion, can rise and pluck the ball from the sky. Needs to be more consistent with tracking the deep ball. Also needs to show more patience. Often times he attempts to turn up field before securing the ball, resulting in an in completion.
Big play ability: At any point in time, he can get behind the secondary and make a big play. Is not only a threat down the field, but he is a threat on short routes as well. He can easily take a drag or bubble screen the distance. Is very shifty and elusive with the ball in his hands. However, he does not possess the strength or bulk to break tackles. Also is a threat on special teams. He is one of the best return men in the nation. Has the vision to find a crease, and the speed to hit the home run.
Competitiveness/ Toughness: Passionate athlete who is highly competitive. Toughness is inconsistent. Will go over the middle to make a play, but will frequently go out-of-bounds or to the ground to avoid a hit.
Intangibles: Suspended 10 games during the 2008 season for off-the-field problems. Suspended for the first quarter of the 2007 Hawaii Bowl. Has been flagged for excessive celebration a few times. 2010 All-WAC Football 1st Team. 2010 AP All-American 3rd Team.
Overall Stock: There aren’t many receivers in the draft that can do what Titus Young can. No one else possesses the threat that he does deep down the field. NFL teams are always looking for players who can stretch the field and create big plays. Titus Young is that guy. He’ll have to over come some major character concerns. He has a chance to capitlaize on the success of Desean Jackson, Mike Wallace, and Johnny Knox, but he must stay on a straightened path through the draft process. Since most of the top-tier receivers decided to stay in school, Young has an opportunity to be a day two pick. He had a poor Combine, and will need to redeem himself at the Boise State Pro Day.
NFL Comparisons: Johnny Knox and Desean Jackson