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A popular series from last draft cycle is returning yet again at Stampede Blue. Last off-season, I interviewed over 40 prospects that could eventually be fits for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2019 NFL Draft. As a result, we were able to find out a lot about two Colts who went on to eventually be drafted by the team in Marvell Tell III and Khari Willis. This year I hope to interview even more prospects so you all can get an inside look at these player’s accomplishments and mindsets going into this next draft.
Our next prospect is safety Beau Tanner from BYU. Tanner is an under the radar prospect who has some fans in the scouting community. We had a great talk about his journey from JUCO to BYU, his position change from WR to Safety, and why he fits on your NFL team.
Background Info:
Size:
6’0” 189 pounds
Senior Stats:
18 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, 2 pass deflections, and 1 interception
Fit with the Colts:
While it is tough to justify taking a 25 year old who barely has experience as a defensive back, the Colts could be a good landing spot for Tanner. With Malik Hooker, Khari Willis, and George Odum firmly in place as the team’s top three safeties, they could use a fourth safety with high upside. While his age may limit that upside a bit, Tanner reportedly has elite speed and is still coming into his own as a player. Adding a player like this with excellent speed could be a major contribution on special teams as the starting three safeties rotate on the starting defense. Tanner’s athleticism should make him a good asset immediately on special teams and as a depth safety.
Round Projection:
Mid-Late Day 3
Highlights:
BYU Pick #3 courtesy of Beau Tanner to close this one out.
— Jake Welch (@BYUAllBlue) November 4, 2019
Let's take a moment and recognize Alden Tofa who easily beats a double team to deliver a big hit on Jordan Love. And then give credit to Love for getting up and making a TD saving tackle. pic.twitter.com/hIXHk0lTfK
Beau Hoge to Beau Tanner for the TD #BCF pic.twitter.com/AQlOvUMPMz
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) October 2, 2017
Interview:
ZH: Out of high school, why did you end up going the JUCO route and how would you describe your experience there?
BT: Overall it was a great experience. JUCO is a grind for anyone. The reason I did it was there was a mistake with my high school credits as a qualifier out of high school, even though it ultimately ended up being a mistake, it wasn’t because of grades or anything. Just because the NCAA Spring house didn’t accept one of my science credits in high school so that was kind of the beginning of the ups and downs in my college career. I ended up in JUCO and once I got that figured out, obviously I left.
ZH: You decided on enrolling at BYU after JUCO. What led you to that decision?
BT: I grew up watching BYU, I’m a member of the LDS Church, both my parents went to BYU, so it was the place I always felt like I wanted to go. I did have better offers football wise and at that time in my life, it wasn’t purely a football decision so I decided to go to BYU because I grew up around there and it seemed like an easy decision with all the above factors.
ZH: You said you are a member of the LDS Church. I believe I read that you went to El Salvador for your mission. How was that experience?
BT: It was really good. A really fulfilling experience. It wasn’t always easy but definitely really fulfilling and a great opportunity to meet great people in El Salvador. It was a great experience overall.
ZH: When you got back you finally got a chance to play for BYU after three years. After a coaching change in 2018, they converted you to defensive back. Hoe was that transition for you?
BT: It was definitely a difficult one and one initially that I didn’t want to do at . I grew up primarily playing on the offensive side at wide receiver and that was something that I thought I’d be great at and something I loved but the coaches at BYU thought it would be best that I moved and give us some more speed in the backend. It was hard at first but once I bought in to that decision, I loved it. I loved playing defense. I played my first season at defense, besides here and there in high school, so it was a lot to learn but I feel like I learned the part pretty fast and I’m still learning as I go. It is a lot different from offense. On offense you have to know what you are doing but on defense you have to react and always be on your toes.
ZH: As you get ready for the NFL, is it going to be as a receiver or as a defensive back?
BT: Right now I’m primarily focusing on defensive back. With the different NFL teams I’ve talked to, that seems like the route I’ll probably go. I’m going to cross train though with my trainer at both positions so I’m well prepared to play either or. I’d be more than happy to play receiver but I think at the end of the day, I’ll end up playing defensive back.
ZH: As you progress as a defensive back, what areas are you working to improve this offseason before the draft?
BT: I’d say right now it’s just technique. There is so much technique in being a DB. You can be the best athlete in the world but you need great technique so I think just focusing on the little details and getting a handle on my technique like coverage and backpedaling and such is gonna help me.
ZH: As you’re moving forward on this journey, where do you feel like you’ve grown the most from year one to now?
BT: I’d say just maturity. I’ve learned some valuable life lessons over the years and I’ve had so many things change, ups and downs, throughout my college career. There have been some things that I didn’t want to do at the time but I learned to just do whatever you are asked to do and go to work and do whatever your job is to the best of your ability. Things won’t happen overnight but I think I’ve learned how to pick up on things quickly and to have patience and work at things to get the job done.
ZH: A big part of your first few years will be special teams. How would you feel being a special teams contributor from day one?
BT: I would embrace that role very well. Going back to what I just said, I think the biggest thing I’ve learned in college is to do whatever I am asked to do and find a love for it and put my head down and go to work. If that was a big role asked of me in the NFL, I’d get the job done and totally embrace it.
ZH: I’ve heard a lot about your speed from numerous people. What is your goal time for the 40 yard dash this offseason?
BT: I don’t want to jinx myself but I want to get as low as I can. I think that is a big thing for me and what’s gonna set me apart from a lot of people. I expect to run really low, around 4.3 or so, and that’s the plan to get as low as I can and go harder and harder until the day.
ZH: Final question for you. What is my team getting if they spend a draft pick on you in this class?
BT: Off the field, you’d be getting a stand up guy first and foremost. On the field, I can do so many things as a defensive back. With my speed, I feel like I can cover anybody. You can put me down in the box at nickel corner or I can come up in the run. I feel like I’m just able to do a lot of things for whatever the team would need and I have a lot of strengths and feel like I move around very well playing high safety. I think they’d just be getting an all around really good athlete who can take on different roles for whatever the team needs.