Profiling Colts Tight End Colin Cloherty

Colin Cloherty

Born:  16th of September, 1987

Hometown:  Providence, RI

College:  Brown University

Draft:  UDFA – 2009 (Indianapolis Colts)

Height:  6 feet 2 inches

Weight:  245 lbs.

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College

Professional

No Professional Stats

Pre-Draft Measurables

40-Yard Dash:  4.78 seconds

3-Cone Drill:  -.– seconds

20-Yard Shuttle:  -.– seconds

Bench Press:  — reps

Vertical Jump:  –.- inches

Broad Jump:  —.- inches

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Breakdown

Colin Cloherty joined the Colts after starting for three years at Brown University.  Cloherty was not recruited to play football.  He got into Brown on an academic basis and was a walk-on to the football team.  He played his freshman year on the junior varsity squad before getting a full-time role in his sophomore year.  He ranked in the top 10 in yards in the Ivy League, and led all tight ends in receptions.  Cloherty graduated from Brown with a degree in history and political science.

Cloherty received little pre-draft coverage, but generated enough interest to warrant a draft analysis by SI.com.  In this analysis, Cloherty is praised for numerous aspects of his play including quickness off the line, an elusive nature, consistent hands, and reliability catching the football.  The article also highlights his route running and his effort blocking, particularly noting his sound technical form.

The analysis emphasizes his lack of strength, even for an athlete coming from an Ivy League school.  It also criticizes him for a lack of true speed, noting that he relies more upon burst and throttle control.

Cloherty has been a consistent receiver this off-season, taking snaps with the second team while Jacob Tamme has been filling in for Dallas Clark in the starting lineup.  Cloherty appears to be more comfortable as a receiver than Gijon Robinson — his primary competition — although Robinson is a superior blocker.

What could help Cloherty make the team over Robinson is his work on special teams.  He is often one of the first players down the field on punt and kick coverage units, and has made impressive plays in training camp.  The loss of Jamie Silva and Jordan Hemby, who were both special teams contributors, could help Cloherty secure a roster spot.  At very least, these skills should earn him a spot on the practice squad.