Wisconsin safety Natrell Jamerson is an NFL Draft hopeful who as of the middle of February is projected a 6th- or 7th-round draft prospect by NFL Draft Scout, which ranks him the No. 8 free safety (and trending up) in the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Jamerson had 49 tackles (31 solo) in his senior season for Wisconsin, adding 1.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions, one that he returned for a touchdown. In his Badgers career he's totaled 88 tackles (61 solo) with 5.0 tackles for loss, 16 pass breakups and those two interceptions.
He's played in 47 career games with 16 starts, including 14 starts as a senior last season. He is a member of the winningest senior class in Badgers history, a group that went 45-10 (29-5 in Big Ten play) and won four straight bowl games and three Big Ten West titles.
Jamerson also has something every coach loves: versatility. He began his career at Wisconsin as a wide receiver, eventually switching to cornerback then safety. He has plenty of experience returning kicks, averaging 20.3 yards per return to total 784 kick return yards as a Badger with a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown, the fourth-longest return in Wisconsin football history.
PODCAST: Wisconsin Safety Natrell Jamerson Talks NFL Draft, NFL Combine, Badgers Career
Here's a look at what Jamerson can do on the field:
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At Safety
Here's one of Jamerson's two career interceptions, as he undercuts a (very unwise) throw from Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson and has a nifty return up the sideline 40 yards for a score:
Here's another look at Jamerson playing center field, this from an East-West Shrine Bowl practice:
QB Nic Shimonek goes deep for @OU_Football WR Jeff Badet, but it was snagged by @BadgerFootball S Natrell Jamerson for the INT. pic.twitter.com/chIbxLNSuB
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 15, 2018
Here he's in man coverage and follows his receiver up the sideline to break up a pass in the endzone:
Really good work here by Natrell Jamerson. Should have had the INT, but turned around and located the ball in the air.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/05fmc6rQmU
— Jay (@jay_1252) September 12, 2017
Jamerson was the team's fifth-leading tackler in 2017, and was capable in the open field:
I like Wisconsin DB Natrell Jamerson (#12) as a mid/late-round #NFLDraft prospect. Can do a lot of things well. Here, tackle in the open-field.@Trellionn12 @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/phD4wcNm2S
— Kevin Brown (@nfldraftnik) February 13, 2018
He even played at the line of scrimmage on occasion:
Wisconsin S Natrell Jamerson (#12) off the edge on the blitz. #NFLDraft @Trellionn12 @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/32UKIIzO2j
— Kevin Brown (@nfldraftnik) February 13, 2018
Following the college season he earned defensive MVP honors at the East-West Shrine Bowl thanks in part to this scoop-and-score fumble recovery on a head's up play where most thought the ball was dead:
#Vanguard HS (FL) alum & #Wisconsin #Badgers DB Natrell Jamerson (@Trellionn12) with a #ScoopAndScore in the #ShrineGame pic.twitter.com/dADPIg3KGB
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes) January 21, 2018
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On Special Teams
As mentioned above, defense isn't his only forte. He's an accomplished kick returner, and is capable of hitting a home run. Here's his 98-yard kick return against Maryland during his sophomore season:
He's no stranger to special teams and can play them on either side, which will come in big once he gets to an NFL training camp. Here's Jamerson on punt coverage:
Wisconsin S Natrell Jamerson (#12) on punt coverage. #NFLDraft @Trellionn12 @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/2elb0lF1eJ
— Kevin Brown (@nfldraftnik) February 13, 2018
Wisconsin S Natrell Jamerson (#12) on special teams. #NFLDraft @Trellionn12 @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/OhS0SydMuX
— Kevin Brown (@nfldraftnik) February 13, 2018
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Full Highlights
Check out Jamerson's full highlight reel:
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NEXT: Melvin Gordon, James White, Corey Clement Changing Wisconsin Running Back NFL Narrative
