Ravens’ needs at cornerback are a constant
Plenty of options available to fill out a thin secondary
Over the last five weeks of the 2021 season, the Ravens relied on Kevon Seymour, Robert Jackson, Daryl Worley and Chris Westry to play significant snaps at cornerback.
This was not the plan for a franchise that has invested so much cap space in its secondary in recent seasons, one that was turning away qualified cornerbacks in training camp. It was a familiar nightmare for coach John Harbaugh, who has navigated many a December and January with starting defensive backs in the injury ward. But this time, the Ravens could not find a workable solution; they finished last in the league in pass defense and tied for 29th in turnovers forced.
Better luck alone would promise better performance in 2022. The Ravens played all of last season without their top ballhawk, Marcus Peters. They played the last five games without Marlon Humphrey, their other former All-Pro cornerback. Both
expect to be 100% by September. On top of those anticipated returns, they fortified their back line by signing Marcus Williams, one of best cover safeties in the sport.
The Ravens have learned not to assume they’ll finish the season with the same cornerbacks who started it, however, and what they lack at the moment is depth
last year, including 28 solo and five for a loss, to go with 1 ½ sacks.
Some draft experts thought he might end up a free agent, but Booker likely solidified his draft worthiness with impressive performances in the EastWest Shrine Bowl game in Las Vegas in February, the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in March and at his pro day at Stanford.
Somebody had to take notice of him running that 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds and bench-pressing 225 pounds 31 times. Booker has an explosive first step, good lateral movement and can shoot gaps, but he definitely needs to work more with his hands and at getting offensive linemen off his body.
“Honestly, this entire process has been kind of a rush,” he said. “It’s been a lot of preparation for a couple of specific data points. The Shrine Bowl, I wanted to show [scouts] what I could do as a pass rusher and a run defender, show them I was a complete defensive lineman. I think I balled out and showed I could play against some of the best players in the country, regardless of conference.
“Then the combine, you train for months on about five to seven drills, and you are aware you only get a couple of shots in prime time. But I think I showed my athleticism. I was in the top five in every single drill and was No. 1 in agility drills.”
Nearly as impressive is the fact that Booker is a two-time captain at Stanford, a rare accomplishment for most college football teams. There, he was a first-team selection for the Senior CLASS Award, which stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School and is awarded to student-athletes with notable achievements in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition.
His excellence in the classroom made him a two-time pick for the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America first team, and he was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the “Academic Heisman,” which is awarded to the college player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance.
He loves talking football with NFL scouts and assistant coaches. That’s part of the reason he went to Stanford.
“At Stanford, they are really big on understanding the why,” Booker said. “They want you to know why they had certain calls, why we play certain techniques. This process can be a grind and to engage in it is definitely humbling.
“Honestly, I enjoy the different philosophies and talking concepts, actually teaching yourself some new ones.”
That’s vintage Booker, according to his former Gilman coach Biff Poggi, now the assistant head coach at Michigan.
“Thomas is a very special person,” Poggi said. “I’ve known him since he was born. He is the full package — an excellent person, highly intelligent and a superb athlete. He is a culture-changer for an organization. He is loyal, hardworking, honest and all about the team.”
Poggi almost had Booker and Mississippi linebacker Chance Campbell on the same playing field at Gilman, but Campbell later moved over to Calvert Hall. Booker and Campbell, though, are friends who grew up together in Ellicott City and attended the same middle school. If both get drafted this weekend, there might be some big parties in Howard County.
Booker has had virtual visits with the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers and worked out with other local prospects for the Ravens.
“It will be a dream just to hear my name called,” Booker said. “I hooked up with Chance at the scouting combine ... . Now we’re at the same stage, the same precipice, of doing something great.”