There may be no cornerback prospect in this year’s draft class more talented than dismissed University of Washington corner Marcus Peters.
However, Peters was kicked off the team in November after multiple disciplinary actions were levied against him.
“It’s never one thing. We’re not going to dismiss a guy because it’s one thing,” UW coach Chris Petersen said at the time. “That’s not what we’re in this business [to be] about. But when you feel like it just can’t work, you gotta do what you’ve gotta do.”
The dismissal raises a number of red flags that will have to be thoroughly vetted by NFL teams. With that in mind, Peters will likely be one of the more heavily interviewed players at the NFL Combine next week.
According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, Peters seems apt to admit he deserved to be kicked off the team at Washington.
He was suspended for the Fight Hunger Bowl in 2013 by interim head coach Marques Tuiasosopo. Against Eastern Washington in September, Peters was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that kept a touchdown drive alive. On the sidelines, Peters tossed his helmet and gloves and stormed about as assistants were unable to calm him down.
In retrospect, Peters says he should have been kicked off the team then.
“I just embarrassed the whole University of Washington program on live television – me throwing, as my mama would say, a hissy fit,” Peters said. “I threw a hissy fit, man. I embarrassed my teammates, the coaching staff, the program, man. I wouldn’t have let me back on after that.”
Peters was suspended for the following week against Illinois and benched for two series against Stanford for being late to team meetings. He was finally dismissed from the team in November.
Peters led Washington with three interceptions last season despite only playing in eight games. Petersen will allow Peters to take part in Pro Day workouts at Washington as well.
At 6-feet, 198 pounds, Peters has good size and is proficient in press coverage. If teams can convince themselves that Peters is beyond his issues, he could be a great selection. But he’ll have to do some convincing first.
“I don’t blame (Petersen) for anything,” Peters said. “All I can blame is myself, because I made those decisions and I have to live with them. Now I’ll have to man up and I’ve got to answer these questions in interviews, and all I can do is sit there and answer truthfully and honestly.”