{"id":293206,"date":"2026-07-21T14:07:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=293206"},"modified":"2026-07-21T14:07:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:07:47","slug":"justin-scott-2027-nfl-draft-early-scouting-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/07\/21\/justin-scott-2027-nfl-draft-early-scouting-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Scott 2027 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Justin Scott (defensive tackle, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/acc\/miami-hurricanes\/\" target=\"_self\">Miami<\/a>) showed up during the Hurricanes\u2019 playoff run. It was enough to earn mention in some <a href=\"http:\/\/Mock: https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/draft\/news\/2027-nfl-mock-draft-three-qbs-top-5-arch-manning-dante-moore\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">early first-round mock drafts<\/a>. What does the tape show?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_293220\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-293220\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27875210_168402708_lowres.webp\" alt=\"Justin Scott, defensive tackle, Miami Hurricanes\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"wp-image-293220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27875210_168402708_lowres.webp 3017w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27875210_168402708_lowres-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27875210_168402708_lowres-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27875210_168402708_lowres-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-293220\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Justin Scott (5) rushes the line past Texas A&amp;M Aggies offensive lineman Mark Nabou Jr. (54) and offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Justin Scott 2027 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report<\/h2>\n<h3>Measurables<\/h3>\n<p>Height: 6\u20194\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Weight: 303 lbs<\/p>\n<h3>Statistics<\/h3>\n<p>2025: 26 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack<\/p>\n<p>2024: 7 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack<\/p>\n<h3>The Tape<\/h3>\n<p>Games Watched: at Virginia Tech, Texas A&amp;M (playoff first round), and Indiana (National Championship Game).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_293223\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-293223\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27923680_168402708_lowres.webp\" alt=\"Justin Scott, defensive tackle, Miami Hurricanes\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"wp-image-293223\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-293223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Justin Scott (5) walks off the field after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&amp;T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Strengths<\/h3>\n<p>Scott plays anywhere from the zero to three technique position. He can line up right over a blocker, shading him, or in the A or B gap. His range from inside is impressive and highlights how good of an athlete he is. Coupled with a high motor, it means Scott is involved in plays outside the tackle box.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Justin Scott is over the left guard &#8211; plus range here, chasing down this wide run.<a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFLDraft<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fDx0OEl9lE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/fDx0OEl9lE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UKDraftFan\/status\/2078805664491622400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Scott can turn that speed into power. His initial punch is excellent, and it gets blockers on their heels to give him the advantage.<\/p>\n<p>When he\u2019s face up over a blocker, Scott is able to two-gap effectively. His eyes are looking beyond the blocker, and he\u2019s able to shed and move either side of him depending on where the play is going. This gives him scheme versatility and means he will fit one-gap or gap-and-a-half schemes.<\/p>\n<p>Scott\u2019s get-off as a pass rusher causes problems for less athletic interior blockers. When one-on-one, Scott looks dangerous when attacking half his man. His best flashes as a pass rusher come this way.\u00a0 There are also flashes of a bull rush, with the speed to power proving effective.<\/p>\n<h3>Areas to Improve<\/h3>\n<p>At times, Scott can play too high. When he does so, he gives up his chest too easily and really struggles to counter. This leads to too many reps where he\u2019s controlled by a single blocker.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">At times, Justin Scott plays too high.  This play is an example.  It also shows his need of a counter when blockers get into his chest.<a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFLDraft<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Xvmycd0AEw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Xvmycd0AEw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UKDraftFan\/status\/2078807420613038159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Despite the flashes, Scott has just two career sacks. There was a missed tackle against Virginia Tech, which he left on the field, but the sack production isn\u2019t there. Scott has the raw tools, but needs refinement. He\u2019ll need to play lower more consistently and work on a counter when his initial move doesn\u2019t work. He\u2019ll also need to think ahead. That should improve with time and coaching.<\/p>\n<p>It is worth noting that Scott wasn\u2019t always on the field in obvious passing situations, which does go some way to explaining the lack of sack production. Against Texas A&amp;M, his snap count was lower than the Virginia Tech or Indiana games. Miami would sometimes kick Rueben Bain Jr. or Akheem Mesidor inside, pushing Scott to the sideline. With the pair now in the NFL, it should give Scott greater pass-rushing opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>Scott plays the zero or one techniques, but is not necessarily suited to hold up against double teams. He\u2019s a little light for such a role, and when double-teamed, he can struggle to anchor. Playing high doesn\u2019t help him in his attempts to do so.<\/p>\n<h3>Key Tests in 2026<\/h3>\n<p>NFL scouts will be hoping for another Miami playoff run as the 2026 schedule has just one preseason top 25 team. The November 7 trip to South Bend to take on <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/fbs\/independents\/notre-dame-fighting-irish\/\" target=\"_self\">Notre Dame<\/a> is the standout test for Scott.<\/p>\n<p>Other tests include at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/acc\/clemson-tigers\/\" target=\"_self\">Clemson<\/a> (October 3), <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/acc\/florida-state-seminoles\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida State<\/a> (October 17), and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/acc\/pitt-panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Pitt<\/a> (October 24).<\/p>\n<p>The full schedule<a href=\"https:\/\/fbschedules.com\/2026-miami-football-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Justin Scott 2027 NFL Draft Projection<\/h3>\n<p>Scott projects as a three or five technique, from where he can use his athletic ability to cause problems. The production is not that high, particularly as a pass rusher, but he has the raw tools.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s the type of prospect who the NFL will love because of his traits. If he grows as a pass rusher, particularly in terms of having a rush plan and developing counters, he has the tools to be a first-round pick. If he doesn\u2019t grow from his 2025 tape, he still has the raw tools to be a day two pick.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: [Jerome Miron] &#8211; Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Justin Scott 2027 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report.  Does the Miami defensive tackle&#8217;s tape match some early first round projections?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5857,"featured_media":293222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1647,33760],"tags":[33861,34995,32569,2030],"class_list":["post-293206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-draft","category-profiles","tag-2027-nfl-draft","tag-justin-scott","tag-miami-hurricanes","tag-nfl-draft-profiles"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5857"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293206"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":293227,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293206\/revisions\/293227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/293222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}