Jordan Poyer

With the tandem of Brandon Hardin (now competing to be the Chicago Bears' starting strong safety) and Poyer slated to be Oregon State's starters, the Beavers had hoped to feature the Pac-12's most talented cornerback duo in 2012. In what turned out to be a harbinger of the Beavers' ill-fortuned season, however, Hardin broke his shoulder during camp last August and missed the entire campaign, thrusting Poyer into the spotlight. To Poyer's credit, he stepped up his level of play considerably, emerging in just his second season at cornerback (previously was a reserve safety) to earn Second Team Pac-12 honors with career-highs in tackles (57), passes broken up (12) and interceptions (four), including one the second interception of his career for a touchdown. Half of Poyer's six career interceptions came against NFL-caliber quarterbacks, as he picked off Brock Osweiler twice last year and Matt Barkley in OSU's stunning 36-7 demolition of the Trojans in 2010. Not only did Poyer demonstrate the confidence and athleticism necessary to handle the one on one responsibilities expected of cornerbacks in OSU's blitz-heavy scheme, he continued in his role as the Beavers' primary returner, averaging a gaudy 14.1 yards per return on punts (including an 85-yard touchdown vs. UCLA) and carrying a 25.9 career average on kick returns.

willing run defender and throws his body around, taking accurate angles. quick learner as a former safety, moving to cornerback in 2010 and starting the past two seasons. good experience in zone coverage, often moving inside to cover the slot receiver. leader of the secondary and a fiery player. extensive special teams experience on kickoff and punt returns. former oregon state baseball player.

Weaknesses

leaner frame with limited bulk, probably will never be able to gain 190+ pounds. not a quick-twitch athlete and lacks natural explosion. plays too far off the line of scrimmage to protect against speed, allowing too much of a cushion and conceding underneath throws.

Tends to bite on fakes and gets overaggressive at times. Streaky tackler and often lowers his head and whiffs in the open field. Can get caught with his eyes in the backfield too much and struggles to recover after false steps. Reliable return man, but not a dynamic performer in this area. Some minor character concerns after an arrest last May for a bar fight.

strengths

Balanced athlete with good closing burst. Tough and competes with very good eye discipline. Sets the edge and works hard to shed, playing stronger than he looks. Gets physical and matches up well with bigger receivers. Nice job reading the eyes of the quarterback and puts himself in position to make a play on the ball.

Played quarterback and safety during his three-year varsity career at Astoria

selected to play for USA Football's 2009 Junior National Team, and helped the team to the title

blocked a punt in the first game against France that led to a safety

Oregon's offensive and defensive player of the year

in three years of varsity football, he accounted for 123 touchdowns

played in the East-West Shrine Game

invited to play in the Les Schwab Bowl

four-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball

2009 Cowapa League Player of the Year in basketball

all-state selection in baseball three times

All-Cowapa League selection twice

hit 12 home runs for the state championship baseball team as a freshman

42nd round draft selection of the Florida Marlins

one of just nine players honored as an American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings High School Gold Glove award winner.

Born April 25, 1991 in Dallas, Oregon

son of Faalaeo and Julie Poyer

has one brother, Jeramy

his grandfather, Lynn Baxter, lettered in basketball at Oregon State in 1962 and 1964

his father, Faalaeo, played tight end at Eastern New Mexico and his mother Julie played softball at Oregon State before transferring to Eastern New Mexico

nominated for the Oregon Sports Awards' Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year honor

selected the recipient of the Brian T. Meehan Oregon Baseball Player of the Year, as selected by The Oregonian

chose Oregon State because "It felt like home. I love the campus and the community."