Havon Finney

Physical Profile

Possesses an ideal frame for a modern boundary cornerback at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, with significant room to add muscle without sacrificing athleticism. His most impressive trait is his track-verified speed, having clocked a 10.81 in the 100-meters, which translates directly to the field in his ability to recover and run with elite receivers. This combination of length and speed gives him a high ceiling for physical development as he transitions to a college strength and conditioning program.

Play Style

Finney is a physical and confident cover corner who excels in both press and off-man coverage. He uses his length effectively at the line of scrimmage to re-route receivers and trusts his speed to stay in phase on vertical routes. He displays great instincts and awareness, often anticipating routes and putting himself in a position to make a play on the ball. His background as a receiver and returner is evident in his ball-hawking tendencies and what he can do with the ball in his hands.

Strengths

• Length and Speed Combination: His height (6'2") and long arms disrupt passing lanes and make him a difficult matchup for smaller receivers, while his sub-11.0 100-meter speed allows him to eliminate vertical threats and recover if out of position.
• Ball Skills and Versatility: Demonstrates natural hands and instincts, evidenced by his 4 interceptions as a sophomore and a knack for making plays on tipped passes. He is a three-phase player who has also taken snaps at receiver and is a legitimate threat as a punt returner, having taken two back for touchdowns.
• Experience Against Elite Competition: As a freshman and sophomore, he was a starter for a nationally-ranked Sierra Canyon team, consistently facing some of the toughest schedules in the country. This experience has accelerated his technical development and football IQ.

Areas to Improve

• Adding Functional Strength: Currently listed at 170-175 pounds, he will need to add significant bulk and strength to his frame to effectively handle the physicality of bigger receivers at the collegiate level and become a more reliable tackler in run support.
• Technique Refinement: While his physical traits are elite, he can continue to refine his press-man technique and footwork at the line of scrimmage. Relying less on pure athleticism and more on technical consistency will be key to his development against elite college receivers.

College Projection

Finney projects as a high-impact, multi-year starter at the Power Five level. His elite physical tools give him the potential to see the field early in his career on special teams and in sub-packages. With consistent physical development, he has the profile of an All-Conference caliber boundary cornerback by his second or third year at LSU.

NFL Outlook

Given his verifiable elite traits in height and speed for the cornerback position, Finney possesses a clear and significant NFL upside. His developmental trajectory points toward him being a potential early-round NFL Draft selection. His success will hinge on his ability to add strength and master the technical nuances of the position, but the raw athletic foundation is that of a future NFL defensive back.

Best Fit

LSU's history of producing high-level defensive backs ('DBU') makes it an excellent fit, particularly under the tutelage of a respected coach like Corey Raymond. A defensive scheme that values long, athletic cornerbacks who can thrive in press-man coverage and play on an island will maximize his skill set and allow his physical attributes to shine.