Cordrea Tankersley
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Cordrea Tankersley
| image = File:Cordrea Tankersley.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Tankersley with the Clemson Tigers in 2016
| current_team =
| number = 30, 23, 32
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|19}}
| birth_place = Beech Island, South Carolina, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 200
| high_school = Aiken (SC) Silver Bluff
| college = Clemson
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 97
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2020}})
| status =
| highlights =
- CFP national champion (2016)
- Second-team All-American (2016)
- First team All-ACC (2016)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 38
| statlabel2 = Pass deflections
| statvalue2 = 7
| pfr = TankCo00
}}
Cordrea Tankersley (born November 19, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Dolphins in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Early life
Tankersley attended Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, South Carolina. He played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back in high school.{{cite web|url=http://archive.independentmail.com/sports/college/clemson/finding-a-home-at-corner-cordrea-tankersleys-stock-is-rising-ep-539098019-345299312.html|title=Finding a home at corner, Cordrea Tankersley's stock is rising}}{{cite web|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/high-school/2011-08-22/silver-bluff-qb-tankersley-major-weapon|title=Silver Bluff QB Tankersley is major weapon}} Tankersley also attended Hargrave Military Academy in 2012. He committed to Clemson University to play college football.
College career
As a true freshman at Clemson in 2013, Tankersley recorded 13 tackles over 12 games.[http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140804/PC0312/140809718/speedy-sophomore-cordrea-tankersley-put-to-the-test-as-potential-starting-cb Speedy sophomore Cordrea Tankersley put to the test as potential starting CB] As a sophomore in 2014 he played in 13 games and had 12 tackles. Tankersley became a starter his junior year in 2015. He started all 15 games and had 60 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article95462997.html|title=Clemson CB Tankersley out to prove last year was no fluke}}{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/20160703/160709997/top-10-tigers-2016-no-8-cornerback-cordrea-tankersley-was-clemsons-greatest-thief-in-years|title=Top 10 Tigers 2016, No. 8: Cornerback Cordrea Tankersley was Clemson's greatest thief in years|first=Aaron|last=Brenner}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/126573/cordrea-tankersley-the-rock-for-new-look-clemson-secondary|title=Cordrea Tankersley the rock for new-look Clemson secondary|date=April 8, 2016 }} On January 9, 2017, Tankersley was part of the Clemson team that defeated top-ranked and previously undefeated Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship by a score of 35–31. In the game, he had five total tackles and one pass defended.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2017-01-09-alabama.html|title=College Football Championship - Clemson vs Alabama Box Score, January 9, 2017|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 19, 2017}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Tankersley was one of 60 collegiate defensive backs to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed all of the combine drills and finished fifth among all defensive backs in the 40-yard dash.{{cite web| title=NFL Combine results 2017: Full numbers for defensive backs| url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/3/5/14811954/2017-nfl-combine-results-defensive-backs-jamal-adams-marshon-lattimore| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=sbnation.com| author=Jon Benne| date=March 6, 2017}} On March 16, 2017, Tankersley attended Clemson's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed the vertical jump ({{cvt|30+1/2|in|disp=comma}}) and positional drills. Team representatives from all 32 teams attended, including head coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers), John Fox (Chicago Bears), Mike Mularkey (Tennessee Titans), and Jim Caldwell (Detroit Lions).{{cite web| title=Tigers work out for NFL evaluators at Clemson Pro day| url=https://www.independentmail.com/amp/99211584| access-date=February 15, 2018| website=independentmail.com| author=Dan Hope| date=March 16, 2017}} He attended private workouts and visits with multiple teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Here Are The 18 NFL Draft Prospects Visiting The Cowboys This Week| url=https://www.chatsports.com/dallas-cowboys/a/here-are-18-nfl-draft-prospects-visiting-cowboys-week-32770| access-date=February 15, 2018| website=chatsports.com| author=Tom Downey| date=April 5, 2017}} At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, he was projected to be a second to fourth round draft pick by NFL draft experts and analysts. Tankersley was ranked the 11th best cornerback prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.{{cite web| title=Cordrea Tankersley, DS #11 CB, Clemson| url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=128224&draftyear=2017&genpos=CB| access-date=February 15, 2018| website=nfldraftscout.com}}
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1+1/4
| weight = 199
| dash = 4.40
| ten split = 1.56
| twenty split = 2.60
| shuttle = 4.32
| cone drill = 7.00
| vertical = 29+1/2
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench = 13
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32+1/4
| hand span = 9+1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web| title=NFL Draft Profile: Cordrea Tankersley| url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/cordrea-tankersley?id=2557931| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=NFL.com}}
}}
=Miami Dolphins=
==2017==
The Dolphins selected Tankersley in the third round (97th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=Dolphins Select Cordrea Tankersley In Third Round|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-7/Dolphins-Select-Cordrea-Tankersley-In-Third-Round/4bfb86e7-8b22-4ae5-9d96-bd99fc0b9078|author=Poupart, Alain|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502120705/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-7/Dolphins-Select-Cordrea-Tankersley-In-Third-Round/4bfb86e7-8b22-4ae5-9d96-bd99fc0b9078|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=dead}} He was the 16th cornerback selected in 2017.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On May 5, 2017, the Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $3.17 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $706,288.{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Cordrea Tankersley| url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/cordrea-tankersley-21839/| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=Spotrac.com}}
Tankersley competed against Alterraun Verner and Walt Aikens for the role as the third cornerback on the depth chart after Tony Lippett tore his ACL during training camp.{{cite news| title=Costly camp: Add CB Lippett to Dolphins' long injury list| url=https://www.abcnews.go.com/amp/Sports/wireStory/dolphins-cb-lippett-miss-season-torn-achilles-49228095| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=abcnews.go.com| agency=Associated Press| date=August 14, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827211237/http://abcnews.go.com/amp/Sports/wireStory/dolphins-cb-lippett-miss-season-torn-achilles-49228095| archive-date=August 27, 2017| url-status=dead}} Head coach Adam Gase named Tankersley the fifth cornerback on the Dolphins' depth chart, behind Xavien Howard, Byron Maxwell, Verner, and Bobby McCain to begin the regular season.{{cite web| title=No big changes to Dolphins' Week 2 depth chart| url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2017/09/12/dolphins-week-2-depth-chart-same-as-last-week/| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=dolphinswire.usatoday.com|
author=Antwan Staley| date=September 12, 2017}}
Tankersley was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first two games (Weeks 2–3) of the regular season. On October 1, 2017, he made his professional regular season debut and first career start after he surpassed Maxwell and Verner on the depth chart due to poor play exhibited by both. He recorded a season-high five combined tackles and deflected a pass during the 20–0 loss to the New Orleans Saints. As a rookie in his debut, Saints' quarterback Drew Brees targeted Tankersley as he was matched up with Michael Thomas. He allowed just four of seven completions for 36-yards and was congratulated by Brees for his play. Gase stated Howard and Tankersley would remain the starting outside corners moving forward with McCain remaining as the starting nickelback.{{cite web| title=Tankersley impresses Dolphins, Brees in first NFL start| url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article176716021.html| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=miamiherald.com| author=Barry Jackson| date=October 3, 2017}} In Week 10, Tankersley recorded a season-high six combined tackles during a 45–21 loss at the Carolina Panthers. On December 3, 2017, he collected two solo tackles and sustained a shoulder injury in the first half. He left after suffering an ankle injury in the second half as the Dolphins routed the Denver Broncos 35–9.{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Cordrea Tankersley| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/cordreatankersley/2557931/gamelogs| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=NFL.com}} The injuries sidelined him for the next three games (Weeks 14–16).{{cite web| title=Dolphins' Bobby McCain starts in place of injured cornerback Cordrea Tankersley| url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-inactives-20171211-story.html| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=sun-sentinel.com| author=Chris Perkins| date=December 11, 2017}} He finished his rookie season with 31 combined tackles (27 solo) and seven pass deflections in 11 games and 11 starts.{{cite web| title=NFL Player stats: Cordrea Tankersley (career)| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/cordreatankersley/2557931/careerstats| access-date=February 14, 2018| website=NFL.com}}
==2018–2020==
On November 2, 2018, Tankersley was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in practice.{{cite web|title=Dolphins Activate Jake Brendel, Place Cordrea Tankersley On IR|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-activate-jake-brendel-place-cordrea-tankersley-on-ir|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=November 2, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Cordrea Tankersley out for year with torn ACL|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/02/cordrea-tankersley-out-for-year-with-torn-acl/|author=Alper, Josh|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=November 2, 2018}}
On August 31, 2019, Tankersley was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the season while recovering from the torn ACL.{{cite web|title=Dolphins Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-announce-roster-moves-2019|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 31, 2019}}
Tankersley was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Dolphins on July 27, 2020.{{cite news |title=Miami Dolphins Awarded Javaris Davis, Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/javaris-davis-awarded-dolphins-michael-roberts |website=MiamiDolphins.com |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020}} He was activated from the list seven days later and waived from the team the same day.{{cite news |title=Dolphins Waive Sunahara, Tankersley |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-waive-sunahara-tankersley |website=MiamiDolphins.com |date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2020}} He was re-signed to the Dolphins practice squad on September 16, 2020.{{cite news |author=Crabbs, Kyle |title=Miami Dolphins add two players to 2020 practice squad |url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/17/miami-dolphins-add-two-players-to-2020-practice-squad/ |website=USAToday.com |date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=October 4, 2020}} He was released on November 2.{{cite news |author=Crabbs, Kyle |title=Dolphins cut one, activate WR Antonio Callaway onto practice squad |url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/03/dolphins-cut-one-activate-wr-antonio-callaway-onto-practice-squad/ |website=USAToday.com |date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=November 26, 2020}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On November 9, 2020, the Minnesota Vikings signed Tankersley to their practice squad.{{cite news |title=Vikings Sign Cordrea Tankersley to Practice Squad |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/cordrea-tankersley-sign-practice-squad |website=Vikings.com |date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on December 19 and January 2, 2021, for the team's Weeks 15 and 17 games against the Bears and Lions, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{cite news |title=Vikings Elevate CB Cordrea Tankersley to Active Roster, Sign K Taylor Bertolet to Practice Squad |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-elevate-cb-cordrea-tankersley-to-active-roster-sign-k-taylor-bertolet-to |website=Vikings.com |date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119160537/https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-elevate-cb-cordrea-tankersley-to-active-roster-sign-k-taylor-bertolet-to |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author=White, Jack |title=Vikings elevate Eddie Yarbrough, Tae Hayes and Cordrea Tankersley to the active roster |url=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/02/vikings-elevate-eddie-yarbrough-tae-hayes-and-cordrea-tankersley-to-the-active-roster/ |website=USAToday.com |date=January 2, 2021 |access-date=February 15, 2021}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 4, 2021.{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign 9 Players to Reserve/Future Deals|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-sign-8-players-to-reserve-future-deals|website=Vikings.com|date=January 4, 2021}} On March 5, 2021, he was released by the Vikings.{{cite web|title=Vikings release Tae Hayes, Cordrea Tankersley|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/05/vikings-release-tae-hayes-cordrea-tankersley/|author=Simmons, Myles|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 5, 2021}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Twitter|CTY_5}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161113051551/http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=206289188 Clemson Tigers bio]
{{2016 Clemson Tigers football navbox}}
{{Dolphins2017DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tankersley, Cordrea}}
Category:Players of American football from South Carolina
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Clemson Tigers football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players