Clayton Geathers Getting 1st Team Reps at OTA’s

While fellow rookie Phillip Dorsett has drawn the majority of the headlines, safety Clayton Geathers could be poised to have just as significant of an initial impact for the Indianapolis Colts next season.

This year’s 4th round pick out of the University of Central Florida has already impressed coaches and members of the media during the team’s OTA practices. As testament to his potential promise, the 6’2, 218 pound safety is already getting some 1st-team reps at OTA’s per the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder:

"“It’s evident the Colts want to take a long look at this young man based on how many snaps Geathers is getting in practices — some with the first unit,” writes Holder."

In a press conference Wednesday after OTA’s, his head coach Chuck Pagano couldn’t help but deliver a glowing report on Geathers’ physical ability, and what he could potentially bring as a hard-hitting, yet instinctive presence to the back of the Colts secondary:

"“Again, from a physical standpoint, he’s what you’re looking for,” Pagano said. “He’s got size, and he’s got speed. Very intelligent guy, he’s got good F.B.I. [football intelligence]. He learns extremely well. We’re playing him at safety. We’re playing him down in the box in sub-packages, as a dime ‘backer.”"

However, it’s the “very intelligent guy” in the aforementioned Pagano quote that really jumps out, at least to me. Scouts and coaches generally know that a player can play simply by looking at the tape in their evaluations; however, it’s not always as easy to measure just how quickly young players are able to learn and pick up complex plays and team schemes. Apparently, just like another fellow rookie in Josh Robinson, Geathers has had no such issues and has been a natural student of the game:

"“So he’s learning the backend,” said Pagano. “Plus, he’s learning the sub-stuff, so he’s been really impressive as far as picking things up.”“He’s an athletic guy like I said, he’s going to be one of those guys in today’s football that you can play inside, you know as a dime ‘backer and get faster, get more speed on the field and matchup with those tight ends that we’ve got to cover now, the backs out of the backfield, and things like that,” added Pagano. “And so, he’s doing really well. He’s going to contribute not only on defense, but he should be an outstanding special teamer as well.”"

From that, it seems like the Colts also have special plans to utilize Geathers as a situational hybrid dime linebacker, where he has the speed to still cover tight ends and running backs inside, but also the strength and tackle ability to defend the run when push comes to shove. It’s Geathers hard-hitting that is still his biggest selling point after all, and he could theoretically provide some much needed toughness and attitude to the Colts defense in time.

So far, at least according to his head coach, Geathers has picked up things rather quickly, practiced well, and exceeded the Colts original expectations:

"“You could see it on tape,” said Pagano. “You know, he’s in the right spot. He was a guy that had instincts, the physical attributes like I said were there. He’s a big hitter. You know, coming downhill, moving forward. He was very impactful in the game, like most young players in the backend, especially safeties, playing deep, going backwards, it’s usually where it takes a little bit of time.”“But, he’s doing well with that as well,” added Pagano. “You know he’s further ahead, he’s kind of exceeded our expectations, you know to this point. I think mostly because of how we use him in our dime packages.”"

It’s encouraging news for the Colts, as even with veteran safety Dwight Lowery now in the fold, the team could still use a long-term answer at theoretically either starting safety position going forward. However, it now appears that Geathers time may come sooner than perhaps initially thought.

Clayton Geathers Getting 1st Team Reps at OTA’s

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