Jay Tufele 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 305 pounds
Arms: 32 ½”
Hands: 9.375”
School: USC
Pro Day Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.97
Vertical: 30”
Broad: 105”
Three-cone: 7.77
Bench press: 30 reps
Jay Tufele Draft Profile
Overview
Jay Tufele redshirted his 2017 true freshman season at USC before seeing significant playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2018. Tufele appeared in all 12 games for the Trojans (five starts) and accounted for 23 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, a blocked field goal, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. The season earned Tufele All-Pac-12 second team honors along with USC’s defensive lineman of the year award. As a sophomore in 2019, Tufele had a monster season as he started in all 13 games while racking up 41 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and a pass deflection. The impressive campaign earned Tufele All-Pac-12 first team honors as well as being named USC’s defensive lineman of the year for a second straight season. Tufele made the decision to opt out of the 2020 season to instead prepare for the NFL draft.
Strengths
- Very high motor player who gives his all on every play and never gives up
- Explodes off the ball with aggression and impressive power
- Transfers explosive speed to power and brings a heavy punch with him when popping would be blockers
- NFL defensive tackle size and strength which is evident in his block shedding ability
- Despite his size, Tufele has surprisingly nice wiggle and flexibility to his game which makes him an impactful pass rusher
- Is a three down defensive lineman with versatility to play inside within a 4-3 and outside within a 3-4
Weaknesses
- Has not played football in a year
- There are some questions about Tufele’s overall maturity as a person
- Lacks strong technique at the point of attack which he makes up for with strength and explosion
- Experienced NFL blockers will expose his lack of technique which means he will need time to develop the finer aspects of his game
NFL Comparison: Sheldon Richardson
Teams With Need at Position: Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans
Projection: Mid second to third round
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The Bottom Line
Tufele is an extremely raw athlete with all the strength, athleticism, and energy needed to succeed at the next level. However, he has relied on those traits throughout much of his USC career and he will need to develop his technique further if he hopes to last in the NFL. Additionally, those fundamental fine tunes may take a season or two in order for him to fully develop as an NFL player. Tufele should be viewed as a high risk/high reward prospect. If he is able to develop his technique, he will be a force to be reckoned with. While there are questions about his overall personal maturity, there are no major red flags in terms of criminal or troubling behavior. The questions of maturity are more on an individual and personal level with Tufele. Within the right situation and around the right coaches, Tufele could develop into a dominant interior defensive lineman.
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