Elijah Newby LB USC |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #26 PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.59 seconds (81%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #26 | |
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.59 seconds (81%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
66.5 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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70% |
| Pass Rush: |
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64% |
| Run Defense: |
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56% |
| Coverage: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#909
Position rank:
#61 (LB)
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| College Games: 6 College Snaps: 42 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shaka Heyward - Duke |
|
87% |
| Ben Bywater - BYU |
|
81% |
| Noah Taylor - North Carolina |
|
81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Elijah Newby was a first-team All-NEPSAC linebacker at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut in 2023, helping the team win the New England Bowl, and he was also an All-NEPSAC high jumper. He was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class.Newby played in five games at linebacker in 2024 and made two tackles while redshirting. A summer 2025 switch took him to defensive end, and he made eight tackles in 13 games, largely in the kicking game.
Newby is back at linebacker in 2026 as a reserve. He made the most of extra snaps against Washington on 3 October, the game Desman Stephens II missed through suspension, with two tackles, a sack and a fumble he forced in a 25-21 win. He added a tackle and a pass breakup at Penn State. He is listed as a redshirt sophomore and has eligibility remaining beyond 2026.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Sack and forced fumble in the 25-21 win over Washington
- Elite speed for a linebacker, with sideline-to-sideline range
- Experience at linebacker and defensive end adds versatility
- Pass breakup in USC's 31-23 win at Penn State
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Reserve role, with only a handful of tackles this season
- Light frame for an off-ball linebacker who must take on guards
- Position has changed in each of his three college seasons
- Was mostly a special teams player during the 2025 season
- Has eligibility left and is unlikely to declare
Scouting Report: Summary
Newby is a fast, athletic linebacker who has bounced between linebacker and defensive end at USC. He took advantage of extra snaps against Washington, getting to the quarterback once and forcing a fumble.However, he is still a reserve, with only a few tackles this season, and he has not settled at one position. His frame is also on the light side for the position.
Overall, Newby is a developmental athlete with upside but little production. He projects as a priority free agent for now, though a return to USC is far more likely.
How other scouting services rate Elijah Newby (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
489.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
55.0
*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.