Christian Gonzalez (CB) – Oregon / Sophomore
6’1” / 197 lbs (Official)
2022 Stats: 12 Games, 35 Solo Tackles, 15 Assists, 50 Total Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 4 Interceptions, 118 Return Yards, 29.5 Yards Per Interception, 7 Passes Defended
Reference: {https://www.sports-reference.com/fb/players/christian-gonzalez-2.html}
Awards: Pac-12 (2022): #3 INT, #4 INT return yards, #9 passes defended; NCAA (2022): #9 INT return yards
Measurables: QBR when targeted – 74.7, Wingspan – 77-1/4″, Hands – 9-1/2, Vertical – 41.5”, Broad – 1101, 40-yard – 4.38, 3-Cone – NA; 14-reps at 225 lbs., RAS: 9.96
Games Watched: [Coach] 2022 Vs. Georgia, 2022 Vs. BYU. [Nino] 2022 vs Georgia, 2022 vs BYU, 2022 vs Stanford
PRO’S
[Coach] Good hips, fluid when adjusting to the route run by his man. Snappy trigger enables him to quickly transition off the LOS when in the receivers face and not lose a step, no easy releases and no early passing windows for QBs. Transitions from back pedal to downhill movement quickly, no down-time. Gonzalez is savvy and knows at what point in the route to focus on the receiver and when to locate/make a play on the football.
[Nino] Gonzo is an absolute bulldog at the defensive back! (9:10 left in 2nd qtr vs Georgia, Kendall Milton cut inside at the 4 yd line heading for the endzone, Gonzo sees the cut and leaves WR McConkey for violently wrap tackle and save the TD) He has elite level instincts and can close with the best of the class. Gonzo mirrors WRs well and eliminates separation quickly! His quick feet and route recognition are very good and he can hit like a mack truck. Gonzo does well blitzing down in the box. He is great at tracking the ball down field and WRs will have a rough day when it comes to contested catches (8:55 left in 1st qtr vs BYU, WR runs up the right sideline and QB Jaren Hall throws a high ball for a contested catch but Gonzo is able to get himself inside WR arms to knock the pass away) , Gonzo doesn’t make it easy! Plays with good balance, bigger WRs can’t push him around in press coverage. (6:53 left in 1st qtr vs Stanford, Gonzo has sticky tight coverage on WR #85 and QB Tanner McKee tries to fit the pass in a tight window 5 yds out, Gonzo is able to break up pass and bobbles the INT)
CON’S
[Coach] 0 INTs through his 1st 18 games. Tends to put his head down when committing to the open field tackle, loses sight of the ball carrier and ends up out of position and finishing with an arm tackle rather and a clean fit and wrap. Quick hands and good hand eye coordination to prevent WRs from pushing off but when a WR does get into Christian’s chest and they have some strength behind those arms, he gets stuck.
[Nino] 2022 was a phenomenal year for Gonzo and put him into the top DB talk heading into the NFL Draft but we have only 1 solid year of production. The two previous years in Colorado don’t come close to his Junior season in Eugene. There really isn’t much negative surrounding Gonzo other than WR at the next level with elite footwork & elite route tree could get the best of him.
OVERALL
[Coach] Christian started off his college career playing 18 games at Colorado and recording 0 interceptions before transferring to Eugene and coming down with 4 interceptions in his junior season. Gonzalez is a long corner with elite speed and great body control. Gonzalez had a phenomenal combine, ending the week with the #2 RAS(relative athletic score) of all cornerbacks and #5 RAS overall. Due to Gonzalez’s frame and elite athleticism, I do not believe there are any receivers he would face at the next level in which he would be at a disadvantage size/speed.
[Nino] After a stellar NFL Combine and Junior season at Oregon, Gonzo has put his name in the first-DB-off-the-board talk. Whether he goes 1st or 5th, Gonzo will be a Day 1 starter and an immediate impact player in the NFL. Player Comp: Nnamdi Asomugha
Completed by: @coachschepps, 03/14/23
Added to: @NinoBrown_T2T, 03/24/23
Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 03/24/23
