Robert Spears-Jennings

● Tall, broad athlete with a V-shaped frame and proportioned definition ● Above-average range — flies to the football from different alignments ● Linear burst to explode into the ball carrier (five forced fumbles over past two seasons) ● Impact blitzing potential (see strip-sack on 2024 Tennessee tape) ● Not twitchy in change of direction but also not rigid ● Times attacks well — played penalty-free football in 2025 ● Outstanding worker with a self-starter mentality; leader of defensive back room ● Got beat up at times, but it was hard to get him off the field ● Extensive special teams background, especially on punt coverage (15 career tackles)

● Below-average ball production (six career passes defended, two interceptions) ● Late to key on throws and be in position to influence catch point ● Able to turn and run in coverage but struggles to locate the ball ● Loses control in man-to-man reps ● Physical striker but not always a wrap tackler — bounces off ball carriers ● Inconsistent tempo in pursuit angles, giving ball carrier a chance to win leverage ● Gets caught up trying to maneuver through traffic

A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Spears-Jennings lined up as the free safety in head coach Brent Venables’ scheme. After originally committing to Lincoln Riley, he stayed with the Sooners once he found out Venables would be bringing his defense to Norman. He started to see meaningful defensive snaps as a freshman and grew into a valuable starter. Spears-Jennings might not play quite as fast as his stopwatch speed (fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at the NFL combine), but he gets from A to B in a hurry and throws his body into contact. Though he’s fearless attacking the line of scrimmage, he needs to be consistent reading his keys and keeping his leverage. He has experience patrolling deep from Cover 2, but he struggles making plays on 594 Back to table of contents -- 598 of 629 -- the ball — his game translates best working top down or near the box. Overall, Spears-Jennings needs to continue developing his play recognition, but he brings an enforcing presence with downhill speed and a burst into contact, similar to Nick Cross. He has the playing temperament to be a standout on special teams coverages while he competes for a role on defense.