Ali Jennings WR Virginia Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Ali Jennings WR Virginia Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.46 seconds (66%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.46 seconds (66%*) | |
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Overall Rating: | 58.7 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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72% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 133.1 | |
Hands: |
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48% |
Short Receiving: |
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55% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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63% |
Deep Threat: |
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65% |
Blocking: |
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43% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#499
Position rank:
#67
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College Games: 45 College Snaps: 2012 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Kawaan Baker - South Alabama |
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88% |
Josh Imatorbhebhe - Illinois |
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86% |
Duece Watts - Tulane |
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85% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jennings took a winding path through college, starting at West Virginia before transferring to Old Dominion and finally landing at Virginia Tech. The 6'2", 207-pound wideout put up big numbers at ODU, including a 1,000-yard season in 2021. He earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors in 2022 after racking up 959 yards and 9 touchdowns in just 9 games.A three-star recruit out of Highland Springs High School in Virginia, Jennings helped lead his team to a perfect 15-0 record and state championship as a senior. He showed flashes of potential in two seasons at West Virginia before truly breaking out after transferring to Old Dominion. Jennings quickly became ODU's top target, averaging an impressive 17.2 yards per catch in 2021.
Jennings' 2023 season at Virginia Tech was cut short by injury after just two games. He made an immediate impact in the opener against his former ODU team, hauling in 5 catches for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns. The injury was a setback, but Jennings has proven to be a big-play threat when healthy.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Fluid athlete with natural receiving skills and body control to adjust to passes outside his frame
- Demonstrates good awareness to find soft spots in zone coverage and present a target for his QB
- Solid hands catcher who plucks the ball out of the air and secures it quickly
- Shows ability to track and adjust to deep balls, making plays downfield
- Good acceleration off the line of scrimmage to eat up cushion against off-coverage
- Crisp route runner who can create separation at the top of his routes
- Willing blocker who gives effort in the run game on the perimeter
- Productive player who averaged over 100 yards per game in his last full season
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal size and strength for an outside receiver at the next level
- Struggles at times to beat press coverage and physical corners at the line of scrimmage
- Not an elite athlete in terms of long speed or explosiveness
- Injury history is a concern, with season-ending injuries in back-to-back years
- Production came against lower level of competition in Sun Belt conference
Player Comparison
James Proche (Baltimore) with added deep threat capabilityScouting Report: Summary
The tape shows a nuanced route runner with soft hands and a knack for finding holes in zone coverage. While not a burner, this wideout displays enough long speed to threaten vertically and the body control to adjust to off-target throws. His ability to create separation at the top of routes and secure catches in traffic could translate well to a slot role at the next level.Durability red flags will give NFL front offices pause. Two consecutive season-ending injuries raise questions about long-term availability. Additionally, this prospect lacks the ideal frame and play strength to consistently win on the outside against press coverage in the pros. Special teams value will be crucial for earning a roster spot and carving out an offensive role.
Scheme fit will be key for maximizing potential at the next level. A West Coast system that emphasizes quick-timing routes and yards after catch could be ideal. While unlikely to develop into a WR1, this prospect has the tools to contribute as a reliable chain-mover and red-zone target in the right offense. Continued development in beating press and expanding the route tree will determine whether he can stick as more than a rotational piece.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Ali Jennings percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Ali Jennings (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
706.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
95.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.