AUBURN, Ala. – Not getting invited to the NFL Scouting Combine served to further motivate safety Jeremiah Dinson, not that he needed it.
"If you know me, I always have a chip on my shoulder," said Dinson, who served as a team captain in 2019. "Trust in God is what got me here today. When I heard I didn't get a combine invite, it was tough at first. I questioned myself. I look at my journey. How I got here today and that was trusting God. I still believe in Him. I still believe in His plan. It is what it is."
Dinson didn't get to go to Indianapolis, but the NFL scouts still came to him for Auburn's Pro Day on March 6.
"A lot of teams want to see how I move, if I stay low in my transition," Dinson said after his Pro Day workout. "Do I have good hips? No wasted movements coming out of my steps. That was my big emphasis. You can throw the bench out. You can throw the 40 out. That pro agility L drill, none of that is on the field. You've got to play ball at the end of the day. That's what I feel like I did."
A three-year starter in Auburn's secondary, Dinson overcame the adversity of a season-ending knee injury as true freshman in 2015. After redshirting while recovering in 2016, he became a team leader, amassing 214 career tackles in 48 games.
Dinson believes he can be similarly productive in the NFL. All he needs is an opportunity.
"Versatility and a coach on the field. Those are things I bring," he said. "You can plug me in any position on defense. Also, I can pick up on the playbook like that. I'm a good learner, I'm a smart learner, I'm a quick learner. Those are things I bring to the team."
DRAFT ANALYSIS
"A confident competitor, Dinson collects his lower body to break on throws or attack downhill in run support, sticking his shoulder into the ball carrier and driving his feet to finish. However, he can be baited out of position with questionable instincts from deep coverage. Overall, Dinson cut down on the mental mistakes as a senior, but his corner-safety tweener skills might leave him without a natural position at the NFL level." – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
SIGNATURE MOMENT
From start to finish, Dinson delivered during his senior year. In Auburn's season-opening win over Oregon, Dinson led the Tigers with 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss and his first career sack to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He was at his best against Auburn's toughest opponents, averaging double-digit tackles against LSU, Georgia, Alabama and in the Outback Bowl.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer