Cameron Tom

Every scout is looking for the type of player that can help spark a franchise's turnaround. That is precisely what Tom helped inspire at Southern Miss, a program that finished just 1-11 during his freshman season, built up to three wins during his sophomore campaign, qualified for a bowl game during his junior year and capped it with a victory over Louisiana Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl as a senior. Graded as just a two star recruit out of high school, Tom was overlooked by the SEC but quickly erased any doubts about his ability to play at the collegiate level or his durability. He started the final nine games of his first season on campus, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman squad. He and the Golden Eagles steadily improved with Tom earning Honorable Mention accolades from conference coaches following his sophomore campaign and First Team honors the final two years of his career. With his broad shoulders and trim middle, Tom looks more like a modern era offensive tackle than a center. To handle the tough duties inside against NFL competition, he may need a year in the weight room. The size potential, agility and durability, however, are in place to warrant Day Three consideration.

in our view

Proponents of zone-blocking schemes will appreciate Tom's quickness and agility. With a frame that appears capable of adding more mass without a significant loss of quickness, Tom is a quality developmental prospect with an exciting upside.

strengths

Looks the part of an NFL lineman with broad shoulders, long arms and tapered frame. Intriguing initial quickness and agility for the position. Easily slips to the second level as a run blocker and possesses the balance and awareness to stalk and secure moving targets once there. Impressive body control and timing for cut blocks. Good lateral agility and balance to mirror pass rushers. Stronger than he looks, anchoring against powerful bull rushers due to his core strength and good knee bend. Reliable shotgun snapper with good velocity and accuracy. Stellar intangibles. Played in 49 career games for Golden Eagles with no games lost to injury. Earned a spot on the Conference USA Honor Roll for academics every year of his career, as well, and was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy as a senior, an award some refer to as the "Academic Heisman."

compares to

J.C. Tretter, Green Bay Packers

weaknesses

Lacks the bulk preferred inside. Reliant upon his quickness and use of leverage to seal off or cut defenders and struggles to generate movement in short yardage situations when covered up by a nose guard. A bit too focused on his own responsibilities, failing to slide laterally to help his teammates, at times. Protected a bit by an up-tempo, shotgun heavy offense that routinely got the ball out of the hands of the quarterback quickly, eliminating the need to sustain blocks for long.

tretter's road to the nfl from cornell is an even tougher one than what tom faces. like tretter, whom the packers selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, tom possesses the upside worthy of day three consideration.

--Rob Rang (1/23/17)

Two star recruit by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com

Ranked as the No. 78 prospect in Louisiana by 247Sports.com

Played for coach Dale Weiner at Catholic High School

Named to The Advocate's All-District 5 First Team

Tabbed Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-Metro as a senior

Played tackle and guard along the Bears' offensive line

Also a member of the track & field team

Helped Bears win District Championship in 2011 and 2013

All-District honors in the shot put

Honor student.

Full name is Cameron Shainaan Tom

Son of Vanessa and Michael Tom

Has a younger brother, Zachary

Born on June 21, 1995 in Baton Rouge, La.

Majoring in marketing.