Sep 24, 2011; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Keith Tandy (8) knocks a pass away from LSU Tigers wide receiver Russell Shepard (10) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Keith Tandy, CB, West Virginia
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 199 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.47 sec
Vertical Jump: 35″
Broad Jump: 120″
Bench Press: 16 reps

The Big East coaches recognized Tandy as a first team all-conference performer in 2010 and 2011 but a reputation as more of an athlete than a technician at his position. There’s definitely something for an NFL coaching staff to work with and the Lions have shown some interest by scheduling a visit with him for this Friday and Saturday.

Keith Tandy has average size and speed but shows good instincts and can lay a big hit. Example:

The Lions want corners that are well-rounded so an ability to play zone and man coverages will be important. Their cornerbacks end up playing much more press-man than zone coverage so it would seem that a man-first, zone-second type corner would fit the bill. Tandy is just the opposite with some scouting reports suggesting that safety, not cornerback, is a better spot for him at the next level. The Lions put Amari Spievey through that transition during training camp in 2010 after it was obvious he was better suited to read and react to plays in front of him.

As a late round developmental guy in the secondary, he’ll have to contribute on special teams as well but that won’t be a problem. College special teams units generally feature a lot of young players but Tandy embraced the chance to get back on special teams as a veteran when the West Virginia needed to change their fortunes in that department. Here’s a quote to that effect from last October:

That’s how we all start our careers, on the kickoff and the punt team,” Tandy said. “Now we’re going back to it and it’s just more time we can be on the field which is always exciting.

Special teams were much more than just another opportunity to be on the field, it was another opportunity to lay out an opponent. Example:

It is possible that Keith Tandy could come in and fill a special teams role similar to what Rashied Davis had last year while the Lions evaluate where and if he can eventually make an impact on defense.

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