The MAC has been home to a handful of future NFL stars. From Maxx Crosby to Quinyon Mitchell, the perceived weakest conference in college football still fields some quality players. Another one of those potential draft picks and stars is Nadame Tucker out of Western Michigan. After a massive breakout campaign in 2025, will the MAC Defensive Player of the Year be a top draft pick?
2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nadame Tucker
Measurables
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 247
Arms: 31.38″
Hands: 9.00″
40-yard: 4.73
Vertical: 33.5″
Broad jump: 9’11”
RAS: 6.02
School: Western Michigan
Nadame Tucker NFL Draft Overview
Tucker took the long way around to the NFL. Initially, he did not play football until his senior season in high school and went to Independence Community College. In 2019, he totaled 12 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. In 2020, he added 22 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Following the 2020 season, he initially committed to transferring to South Alabama, but stayed at the JUCO level and played at Hutchinson Community College.
At HCC, he was a star, notching 50 tackles and 12 sacks in 11 games. After that season, he made the jump to the FBS level and committed to Houston.
As a member of the Cougars, Tucker only appeared in 13 games over three seasons. In those 13 games, he managed 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
For a seventh season, he transferred to Western Michigan. As a result, he had a true breakout. In 13 games, he led the Broncos with 55 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and four forced fumbles. His 21 TFLs led the nation, and his 14.5 sacks were tied for the most with David Bailey. As a result, he earned MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was a third-team All-American by Walter Camp.
Strengths
- Great get-off
- Pretty developed in hand fighting in the pass rush
- Great bend around the corner
- Production in 2025 cannot be ignored
- Better closing speed than his testing would suggest
- Not an active liability in coverage
Weaknesses
- Turns 26 in June
- Competition level concerns
- Dominated the MAC as a seventh-year player
- 18.5% missed tackle rate
Projection: Sixth Round
Best Fits: Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom Line on Nadame Tucker
It’s not often a team has the chance to draft college football’s sack and tackle-for-loss leader on Day 3 of the draft. With Tucker, it’s a very real possibility for a number of reasons.
Tucker dominated JUCO and the MAC, but in the three seasons at Houston, he was a non-factor. There are things about his game that should translate to the next level, like his impressive get-off at the snap and his motor. He’s solid at finishing to get the sack or tackle for loss, plus he is able to use his hands and feet well.
The issue is, obviously, the fact that he had his breakout as a 26-year-old in a Group of 5 conference. He did have missed tackle issues last year that were overlooked by his eye-popping production.
Tucker may not be a future star like Crosby, but he could be a formidable member of a rotation in a pass-rush-only role for a contending team with established leaders at the position. He may only be around for one long-term contract because he will be 30 when his rookie deal expires.
NFL teams could do much worse with their Day 3 pick than to pick a guy with as much production as Tucker. Time will tell if he’s able to keep it up at the next level.
