PSO Scouting Report: CB Kristian Fulton (LSU)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: CB

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

School: LSU

Class: Senior

Age: 21

Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 197 lbs.

Hands: 9.13” | Arms: 30.63”

Bench: N/A | 40 Time: 4.46s

Facts to Know

2nd-Team All-SEC (2019)
20 forced incompletions (T-1st), 29% rate (3rd in FBS)
43.2% completion percentage when targeted since 2018
323 press coverage snaps in 2019 (3rd-most in CFB)
5-star High School recruit

Physical Tools

Pros

A surprisingly impressive 4.46s 40 time
Great combination of flexibility, body control, and quickness
Adequate frame (6’0”, 197 lbs)
Functional athleticism is all there — 122.5 SPARQ (69th percentile)
Terrific hips and footwork

Cons

Supbar length (30.63″ arms)
Additional strength could help his game

Grade: A-

Game Film

Pros

Held his own against top-tier competition
Top-notch match-and-mirror ability
Relaxed and patient — not too handsy downfield
Times hand usage very well, especially at the LOS & with his back to the ball
Displays good effort and physicality
Confident in high-caliber instincts and it shows in his game

Cons

Could stand to improve his positioning in run support
Needs to work on shedding blocks
Wasn’t tasked with zone coverage very often

Grade: A-

Production

Pros

CFP National Champion & 2nd-Team All-SEC (2019)
3rd-best forced incompletion percentage (29%)
323 snaps in press coverage (3rd-most)
Very rarely targeted — 111 targets on 854 coverage snaps last 2 seasons (13%)
Allowed just a 43.6% completion rate when targeted over his career
Solid 13.3% missed tackle rate (for a CB)

Cons

Not much of a turnover producer — only 2 career INTs and 1 FF (several PBUs, however)
Allowed 5 receptions of over 30 yards in 2019
88.9 passer rating allowed when targeted deep (20+ yards)
Lackluster 64.4 PFF run defense grade

Grade: A-

Risk

Pros

Dominant LSU DB
5-star high school recruit pedigree
Superb press-man coverage ability
Solid frame and athletic profile
High-effort player on a consistent basis
Fantastic coverage production despite lack of turnovers

Cons

Suspended 18 months for cheating on a drug test in 2017
Not a true ballhawking playmaker
Run support could use improvement
Tons of press-man experience but not a lot in zone

Grade: B+

Overall

While he doesn’t necessarily possess the athletic profile of Jeff Okudah or CJ Henderson, Kristian Fulton’s extensive experience and expertise in press-man will be highly-coveted. After returning from an 18-month suspension (lasted 2 seasons), he has proven week after week that he can jam up on the SEC’s best and win his matchup more often than not. Like most collegiate CBs, he could definitely add some strength. However, he consistently puts forth great effort, even when physically overmatched.

Pro Comp: CB AJ Bouye (Denver Broncos)

Projected Round: Mid-1st Round

Prime Destinations: NYJ, LVR, SF, DEN, ATL

OVERALL Grade: A-