At 6-4 and 221 pounds Columbus (Ohio.) Brookhaven athlete Jeff Cumberland is
a physical specimen. On Saturday (May 28th) he did more then just look the part.
Cumberland not only was the most impressive at Akron, he may have been the best
kid we've tested period.
The buzz began when Cumberland tested in the L-Cone, a drill that tests your
speed, quickness, flexibility, change of direction, body control. Cumberland
posted a (7.23) which took Peach County (Ga.) head coach Rance Gillespie by
surprise when I went to the station to talk to him.
"Keep you eye on the big kid with the grey shorts, he just ran a (7.23)
and he looked good doing it," Gillespie said.
Next, for Cumberland was the 20-yard shuttle. He promptly went to that
station and busted out a (4.28) the shuttle run measure's an athlete's lateral
quickness, coordination, and change of direction. Cumberland's efforts caught
the eye of Scout.com Southeast Analyst Ryan Jordan.
"That kid is a freak, he just ran a (4.28) at that size," Ryan
Jordan said.
At that time I had decided to follow this athlete closer and see if he tested
that well in everything, by the time I had made it to the 40-yard dash station,
I asked Scout.com's South Analyst and combine director Scott Kennedy what the
most impressive 40-yard dash time was, and he pointed to Cumberland and said
(4.47). Anyone who knows Scott can tell you he does not impress easily, not out
of arrogance but through experience he covers some of the fastest kids in the
nation. He was even impressed by Cumberland's efforts.
"I don't know if I have one kid in the South that I could compare him to
over the past three years. Xavier Carter maybe, but that kid is 30 pounds
heavier," Kennedy said.
Cumberland then went on to the standing broad jump which measures Leg
explosion, quickness and lateral burst. The soft-spoken athlete jumped
(9'-8").
He finished up his testing efforts with the vertical jump which measures
Vertical leg explosion. Cumberland went on to post a (34") vertical. Then
it was time for the one-on-one drills, show time if you will. This is when we
get to see the match-up's of the top wide receivers versus the top defensive
backs, the top tight ends versus the top linebackers, and so on.
Cumberland of course excelled at that part of the combine as well. When he
rotated to wide receiver he showed explosion, he proved he was polished with his
route running, and he has real time speed to burn most opposing defenders. He
has outstanding ball skills, and uses his body and his leaping ability to catch
everything.
When Cumberland decided to rotate over with the tight ends it was equally as
impressive, except no one could keep up to him. He is physically strong enough
to get separation, once he separates it's game over.
Playing in a run-oriented offense, Cumberland told Scout.com that he had 19
receptions for 375 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior. He earned All-City, and
All-District honors. Cumberland currently claims offers from Penn State,
Minnesota, Michigan State, Akron, Marshall, and Illinois. Who is
he focused on right now?
"I like Miami, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, and USC,"
Cumberland said.
One thing is for certain after his performance in Akron; Cumberland should
pick up quite a few new offers in the upcoming weeks.
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