Measurements
School: Minnesota University
Position: Safety
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210 lbs.
Tyler Nubin Scouting Report
Tyler Nubin was a three-star recruit from St. Charles North High School in Illinois. He was a highly sought-after prospect and received offers from several elite programs, including Iowa, Tennessee, and Michigan. After careful consideration, he ultimately decided to commit to the University of Minnesota.
During Nubin’s freshman year, he played in only four games, with 26 snaps, but he did not make any noteworthy plays. However, he was almost impossible to throw on. In his sophomore year, he played in seven games with 402 snaps. During that time, he had 42 tackles and one interception. Although he was not elite in coverage, he was not a bad player. His performance during his first two seasons was not what was expected of him.
Tyler Nubin had an exceptional junior year and managed to break out. In 13 games, he recorded an impressive 52 tackles. However, what set Nubin apart was his coverage skills. He was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and when they targeted him, they had a rating of 21.5. Additionally, he secured three interceptions.
Although he couldn’t replicate the same level of production in his senior year, he still put up an excellent performance in 11 games. He recorded a career-high of four interceptions and also started to contribute to stopping the run with 20 run stops.
Nubin felt as if he needed one more season so he decided to return as a fifth-year senior. This would be a great decision as it ended up being his most impressive season as his experience showed through. In 768 snaps Nubin had a new career-high five interceptions and four pass breakups. He had 55 total tackles and surrendered a quarterback rating of just 17.5 when targeted. His stats started to back up the skill and it gives NFL scouts a lot to consider when evaluating him.
Strengths:
- Is the ideal size of an NFL safety possessing great length and physicality
- Fluid in zone coverage being able to sink and recover with the best of defensive backs
- Explosive and aggressive run stopper often using tackle radius to lay down the boom and pop the ball free
- Possesses great awareness when in coverage never really looking uncomfortable or out of place
- He is a great open-field tackler who is never afraid to take on blocks
- Has great half-field speed being able to play from midfield to the sideline
- High motor player never taking breaks wanting to be heavily involved in every play
- Ooze’s swagger and confidence make him an elite enforcer who keeps everyone playing with the same high-energy
Weaknesses
- Isn’t the fastest guy in the world, if he loses his guy his recovery time will lag and that could give up big plays at the next level.
- His footwork leaves a lot to be desired, it’s often choppy and has no fluidity often leaving the middle of the field open.
- His aggression and lack of understanding of leverage sometimes lead to bad attempts at breaking on routes,
- Needs to work on his man coverage, often being far too physical and relying on tugging and grabbing to maintain leverage.
Projected Round: Early day two
Player Comp: Trevon Moehrig
Best Fits: Giants, Commanders, Bears
What to expect of Tyler Nubin
Nubin has worked hard to earn his position as one of the top safeties in the 2024 NFL draft. He has shown remarkable talent in playing various schemes and excelling in them. With an ideal frame for an NFL safety, he can impact the defense in many ways. He is an aggressive run-stopper, able to crash the line of scrimmage. Moreover, his excellent half-field speed and tremendous zone coverage ability make him a promising candidate for elite safety at the next level.
Nubin isn’t a blue-chip prospect for a couple of reasons though. He plays a very low-value position similar to linebacker and runningback. Nalso has areas of improvement in man coverage as his speed isn’t game-breaking. He needs refinement in his choppy and slow footwork if he ever wants to reach the elite level that he has the potential to be. He has to adapt to the kind of speed and agility he might have to face in the NFL. If he continues to rely on physicality to win in man coverage he might turn out to be a dirty laundry machine.
Overall, Nubin possesses the potential to excel at the next level. However, despite spending an extended period in college, he still needs to work on certain aspects of his game. He is likely to be a starting player in his first season as a rookie, but it may take some time for him to find his footing. He is expected to be picked in the early day two, but if he performs well at the combine, he has a chance of being picked in the late first round. Nubin is known for his confidence and energy, which he will bring to an NFL secondary. Once he steps on the field, he is expected to become a fan favorite.
Main Photo: [Alex Martin/Journal and Courier]
