Biography: Awarded All-American and All-conference honors last season. Totaled 26 tackles and broke up nine passes as a junior after posting 53 tackles/3 interceptions/7 pass breakups the prior year.

Positives: Nice-sized cornerback who's displayed the ability to shut down opponents the past two years. Aggressive in all aspects of the game and does not back down to a challenge. Fights hard throughout the route, stays with opponents into breaks and shows an explosive burst of closing speed. Nimble, displays terrific overall quickness and has above average instincts. Effectively gets his head back around to locate the ball and properly positions himself against opponents. Drives to the action out of his plant and displays a nice move breaking up passes.

Negatives: Slow reacting to receivers? moves off the line of scrimmage. Lacks great top-end speed. Likes to gamble, takes unnecessary chances and is prone to giving up big plays on occasion.

Analysis: Kirkpatrick was a shutdown cornerback who opposing quarterbacks stayed away from the past two years. He possesses the size and physical skills to start at the next level but must refine his game and be more disciplined in his play. He offers potential in a variety of systems and should quickly break into the starting lineup as a rookie.

Projection: 1st