Jack Ramsey
Cornerback
5′-11″, 210 lbs.
Senior (on scholarship, 1 year to play 1)
Simeon HS / Chicago, Illinois

ALE Ranking last year: #50
ALE Ranking in 2010: #28
ALE Ranking in 2009: #43

What I Know About Him:

What a long, strange trip it’s been. Jack Ramsey arrived as a quarterback, redshirted, switched to wide receiver, played a lot at WR as a redshirt freshman (16 catches for 182 yards), but then moved to cornerback as a sophomore (and punt returner). But then he moved back to receiver for the rest of the season (while still returning punts) before switching back to corner for the Texas Bowl. That spring he was tried at safety, and during his junior season he was moved from safety back to corner back to safety. Now? He’s a cornerback. I promise. Probably.

I’m really hoping for a big senior season from Jack. We’ll need a third cornerback to combine with Terry Hawthorne and Justin Green, and I’m really hoping it’s Ramsey. After the highs (receptions as a freshman) and the lows (fumbles at Penn State in 2010), I’d love to see a final season where he stays at one position and flourishes.

What I Expect From Him:

Kickoff coverage, for starters. And punt coverage. With his experience, I think Ramsey can be our speedy special teams specialist this fall. Big hit on a kick return. Down a punt at the two. That kind of thing. This team MUST improve on special teams this fall, and experienced guys like Ramsey can play a big role in that.

The other thing I’m expecting is a slot corner role. I’m not sure how Tim Banks will run the nickel or the dime packages, but I think a guy like Ramsey could maybe fit into a Tavon Wilson role where they line up over a slot receiver and generally make things miserable for the offense. Or maybe it’s a true third corner who fills in for Green and Hawthorne, giving them the breathers they’ll need if they are going to contribute on offense.

More than anything, after this crazy path that Ramsey has been on, switching positions every few months and never really finding a niche in the Vic Koenning defense, I’m really hoping for a big senior year at cornerback. Of course, if that doesn’t work out, maybe he could really help us at receiver…