Josh Shaw to Bengals: Twitter Reacts as FS Is Selected in 2015 NFL Draft

Josh Shaw's career with the USC Trojans certainly wasn't uneventful. With the 2015 NFL draft, Shaw will look to firmly put the past behind him. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller listed him as the No. 5 free safety available. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Shaw 120th overall.

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Josh Shaw Drafted by Bengals

Saturday, May 2

The NFL Network announced that the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Shaw 120th overall. 

ESPN's Adam Caplan sang the praises of the defensive back's abilities:

Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey echoed the sentiments, saying the pick was a good one for the Bengals:

When most fans hear Shaw's name, the first thing that will come to mind is how he explained two ankle sprains. He told school officials that he leaped from a second-floor balcony to rescue his nephew, who was drowning in a pool below. The story ultimately proved to be false, and Shaw's reputation took a serious hit.

"I take full accountability for what happened," he told Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples in January. "I learned from what happened. I would never embarrass my family, myself or any organization ever again."

Shaw spent his career in Los Angeles primarily as a cornerback but will be making the shift to safety in the NFL. ESPN's Louis Riddick believes that position change will work to his benefit:

His physical tools certainly aren't in doubt. The Trojans posted on Twitter a few of his measurables:

A lot of the issues Shaw had in pass coverage at USC will be masked at free safety in the NFL. In addition, his lack of top-end speed won't be as much of an issue, either.

Ralph D. Brown II of Fox Sports West noted how much Shaw's game seemed to improve at the East-West Shrine Game:

His ability to read the field should also allow him to thrive at the next level. He isn't an aggressive ball hawk, but he should find himself in the right position at the right time more often than not.

There will be an adjustment period as Shaw devotes all of his energy to free safety, but he could be a good buy-low candidate on draft day.