George Iloka, Safety, Boise State

[Jase]

I think we take this guy in the mid rounds. With all the talent we face from tall, athletic tight ends, we need a big, athletic safety. Ladies and gentlemen, the future of the safety position.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=83107&draftyear=2012&genpos=FS

Draft Scout Snapshot: 2010: Started each of the Broncos’ 13 games at safety…named first-team All-Western Athletic Conference…was the Broncos’ third-leading tackler with 63 (49 solo), including three for loss…recorded two interceptions, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble. 2009: Started all 14 games for the Broncos at safety...Finished the regular season with 48 tackles (32 unassisted), 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and five pass breakups. 2008: Named to both Phil Steele's and Sporting News all-freshman second-team … Played in all 13 games for Broncos … Team's fourth-leading tackler with 63 (45 solo and 18 assisted) … Had 6.5 tackles for loss for minus-14 yards … Four interceptions tied for second on team, tied for fifth in WAC…Finished regular season with six pass breakups … Graduated from high school a semester early and enrolled at Boise State in January.

03/24/12 - NFL DRAFT SCOUT TOP DEFENSIVE BACKS: George Iloka, Boise State, 6-4, 225, 2-3...Here is another interesting combination of size, speed and strength who needs to find a position. He was listed as a free safety at the scouting combine, where he proved to be a strong free safety with 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Iloka also was clocked in unofficial 40-yard time of 4.66 seconds. He shows excellent skills in various zone and man coverages, and his unusual size will allow him to physically deal with the NFL's biggest wide receivers. His presence gave Boise State a lot of versatility on defense, where he started his final 45 games, lined up as both a safety and a cornerback and finished his career with 231 tackles and seven interceptions. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange 01/25/12 - 2012 SENIOR BOWL WEDNESDAY: FS George Iloka, Boise State: At nearly 6-4 and 222 pounds, Iloka looks more like a potential linebacker than a free safety, but his athleticism and instincts have been on display all week long. He intercepted a pass during Tuesday's practice, making an impressive diving pick-off of Michigan State's Kirk Cousins in front of Massachusetts' H-back Emil Igwenagu. Iloka is not surprisingly a bit high in his back pedal but he showed surprising agility and burst when asked to drop down and cover receivers when the offense switched to a three receiver set. In a relatively weak year for safeties (outside of Alabama's Mark Barron), Iloka's size, athleticism and experience (40 consecutive starts) stand out. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com 01/24/12 - 2012 SENIOR BOWL TUESDAY: S George Iloka, Boise State: Measuring at almost 6-4, 222 with above average length (nearly 34" arms), Iloka has had a very positive start to the week of practice. He has looked a bit tight when asked to cover in man and flip his hips, but he can plant and drive on the ball with good timing and ball skills. Iloka has shown the footwork and overall "feel" to match up against both receivers and tight ends so far in practice. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

12/30/11 - 2012 SENIOR BOWL INVITE: Iloka, pronounced (Eye-LOKE-uh), earned first team All-Mountain West Conference honors for the Broncos from his safety position this season after tallying 58 total tackles. He was also an Honorable Mention All-America selection by the Associated Press. The Houston, Texas native was a part of a defensive unit that lead the MWC in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. Iloka, a three year starter, finished his career with 231 total tackles and seven interceptions. “It’s definitely a great opportunity to showcase what you got especially for guys like me, Kellen, Doug and Billy coming from Boise State,” Iloka said. “Obviously we don’t play against some of the bigger schools and don’t receive some of the media attention some of these other guys get, so it’s always a great opportunity to showcase what you have against other good talents across the United States.” - SeniorBowl.com

Do it. Do it now, hurney.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Hoping he is there in the 4th and we snag him.

[DaCityKats]

would love to look at his teammate DE Tyrone Crawford as well.

[HeatCheck]

Had him in my original mock back in November as a 5th rounder. But since then he has risen and I highly doubt he lasts that long. I don't know if I'd draft him a at 40 but would have to hope he lasts to our 4th round pick. That is unless we pick up a 3rd rounder.

He even played some CB.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I'd say in the 3rd but we don't have one. He'll be gone by the 4th for sure. I rather get Joe Adams in the 4th round though.

[koolkatluke]

We signed a safety and have 5 already on the roster. I don't think we will be looking at another safety in the early parts of this draft.

[Riverboat Ron]

Been a big fan of Iloka, we'll be lucky if he's there in the 4th.

[carolina-chuck]

If hes there in the fourth.

I see him going in the third.

[Kuech Da Sneak]

If he's in the fourth, you take him.

Dude's been rising fast though.

[bababoey]

He's not a saftey in the NFL. Stiff as a board. He can run fast in a straight line but he can't turn and flip his hips even with average NFL TE much less recievers. Everyone has siad look bad in position drills at combine because he is tight hiped and cant turn and run with them. Now if they want to take him and change him into a lb like TD.... that might work. He will have to gain about 10 or 15 lbs but he could be a really good lb. I just dont see him as a saftey. Not with as many 3 and 4 wr sets as there are in the NFL now and him being forced to cover the slot sometimes.

[jungleking]

He's not a saftey in the NFL. Stiff as a board. He can run fast in a straight line but he can't turn and flip his hips even with average NFL TE much less recievers. Everyone has siad look bad in position drills at combine because he is tight hiped and cant turn and run with them. Now if they want to take him and change him into a lb like TD.... that might work. He will have to gain about 10 or 15 lbs but he could be a really good lb. I just dont see him as a saftey. Not with as many 3 and 4 wr sets as there are in the NFL now and him being forced to cover the slot sometimes.

This. He's played corner in college, but he didn't do it well. He's got the experience and the measurables, but he doesn't have the skill to project well.