A.J. Haulcy was a highly productive safety throughout his college career, and his scouting report looks at how well his skill set might translate to the next level.
A.J. Haulcy 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Measurables:
Height- 6’0″
Weight- 215 lbs
Background:
Haulcy attended Fort Bend Marshall High School in Texas, where he was a three-star defensive back recruit. He committed to New Mexico and appeared in all 12 games with nine starts in his freshman season. After a successful freshman season where he was named to Second-Team All-Mountain West, Haulcy transferred to Houston in 2023. He played in 12 games in his first season with Houston. In his junior season, Haulcy emerged as one of the best defensive players in the Big 12, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors with a conference-leading five interceptions. Haulcy transferred to LSU in 2025 and finished in the top three on the team in both tackles and interceptions. He earned First-Team All-SEC honors.
Strengths:
Haulcy is an incredibly smart football player. He is especially exceptional in zone coverage, where he has great instincts and does a tremendous job at reading the quarterback’s eyes. Haulcy has great anticipation and route recognition, and he is a talented playmaker who does a good job jumping passing lanes. Haulcy aggressively attacks the football and has amazing overall ball skills.
He does a good job tracking the football, is strong at the catch point, and had good ball production throughout his college career, recording three interceptions in 2025 and a Big 12-leading five interceptions in the 2024 season. He finished his college career with 10 total interceptions and 19 pass deflections. Against the run, Haulcy shows great competitive toughness. He has good closing speed, and he is quick to get downhill. Haulcy is an aggressive run defender and willing tackler with good hit power, play strength, and ability to take on blockers.
Weaknesses:
Haulcy does not possess elite athletic ability. He has average overall speed and lacks great short-area quickness and change of direction ability. While he has tremendous play strength, he is also slightly undersized when it comes to height and arm length for the position. In man coverage, Haulcy can struggle with consistency against really quick and fast receivers. Against the run, Haulcy can take bad angles at times. He needs to improve his tackling technique consistency and limit missed tackles in the open field.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Haulcy does not have elite athletic ability or man coverage skills. He also needs to limit the missed tackles, but Haulcy is an experienced player and an incredibly smart and instinctive football player who has great anticipation and play recognition ability. Haulcy is a high-energy player and a tremendous playmaker who does a great job jumping passing lanes and forcing turnovers. He is also a strong run defender and had a very productive college career. Haulcy is a ball-hawking safety who has the potential to develop into a highly productive starting safety in the NFL.
Prospect Grade:
Late Second Round
Main Photo: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
