Kitan Oladapo Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: Oregon State

Class: Redshirt Junior

Position: SAF

HT: 6’2

WT: 216 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #84

Background: Kitan Oladapo is a cornerback from Happy Valley, Oregon. He was an unranked recruit out of Central Catholic High School in Portland. During his time at Central Catholic, Oladapo was a First and Second Team All-League member, while also being named an All-State member as a senior. As a junior, he was a key member of a defense that won the 2017 state championship. Kitan Oladapo committed to his hometown Oregon State Beavers, as his recruitment was rather limited.

College: Oladapo did not see significant time on the field until his 3rd year in Corvallis. He played in 6 games, starting 1, in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In 2021, Kitan was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention after totaling 9 pass breakups in 12 starts. By 2022, he was a consensus All-Pac 12 First Team selection, an accomplishment in which he achieved in back-to-back seasons to finish his career as a Beaver. Oladapo has been a top defensive back in the conference ever since he got to Corvallis.

Strengths: His ability to defend the run and make open field tackles is something that separates him from others at his position. He is not only willing to make a tackle, but he is effective. He takes optimal angles to the ball and can break on the ball carrier from anywhere on the field. He does not go for a big hit when he does not need to. His length meets the criteria that I look for in cornerbacks. His arms measure in at 32 3/8, which is well above the threshold. These long arms are revealed in both his ability to wrap up ball carriers as well as in pass coverage, where he is consistently able to make plays on the football. Whether it be pass breakups or interceptions, Oladapo has a knack for getting his hand on the ball. Oladapo’s versatility may also benefit him as a rookie in the NFL, before he finds his permanent role with a team. Kitan has no problem playing safety, nickel, or boundary corner, as he has experience in all of them.

Weaknesses: Oladapo struggles to properly read the quarterback and diagnose different route concepts when in zone coverage. Oladapo is a bit grabby in man coverage. He is not technically refined as a press man corner and will likely get beat off the line with relative ease.

Conclusion: Kitan Oladapo is a versatile defensive back that does not have a sound projection in terms of what his role will be at the next level. He can succeed anywhere and will be a joker for the defense. He can become a turnover machine or a simple difference maker who can disrupt the rhythm of an entire offense.

Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile

Ideal Role: Nickel

Best Team Fits: TEN, DEN, MIN

Player Comparison: Carlton Davis

Player Grade: 77.7