J.Michael Sturdivant WR UCLA | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
J.Michael Sturdivant WR UCLA
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 12/13/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.3 DOB: 09/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
Last Updated: 12/13/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |
Age: 22.3 DOB: 09/06/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 81.5 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 81.7 | |
Hands: |
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65% |
Short Receiving: |
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64% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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73% |
Deep Threat: |
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75% |
Blocking: |
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58% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#113
Position rank:
#15
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College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1787 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Alec Pierce - Cincinnati |
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92% |
Cornelius Johnson - Michigan |
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88% |
Dontay Demus Jr. - Maryland |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
J. Michael Sturdivant, a wide receiver from UCLA, brings an impressive blend of size and speed to the NFL Draft conversation. Standing at 6'3" and 205 pounds, Sturdivant's frame immediately catches the eye of scouts looking for a potential X-receiver at the next level. His journey from Texas high school standout to Pac-12 playmaker has been marked by flashes of brilliance and steady improvement.After transferring from Cal to UCLA in 2023, Sturdivant quickly established himself as a key target in the Bruins' offense. He appeared in all 13 games, starting 10, and finished second on the team with 36 receptions for 597 yards and 4 touchdowns. His impressive 16.58 yards per catch ranked sixth in the Pac-12, showcasing his big-play ability. This performance built on his breakout 2022 season at Cal, where he earned Freshman All-American honors with 65 catches for 755 yards and 7 scores.
Sturdivant's athletic pedigree is evident in his background. The son of an NFL player and nephew of Hall of Famer Floyd Little, he excelled in both football and track in high school. His 4.38 40-yard dash time at UCLA speaks to the speed that made him a state-level sprinter in Texas. This combination of size, speed, and bloodlines has NFL teams intrigued about his potential to develop into a dangerous vertical threat at the professional level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's 2023 Freak's List at #79. He Wrote: "The 6-3, 206-pound sophomore is the most gifted wideout the Bruins have had in the Chip Kelly era. Sturdivant has topped out at 23.2 MPH and also bench-pressed close to 300 pounds and squatted almost 400 pounds this offseason."
- Impressive size-speed combination with a 6'3" frame and 4.38 speed, presenting a matchup problem for smaller defensive backs
- Long strider who eats up cushion quickly, allowing him to threaten defenses vertically and create space underneath
- Displays good body control and adjustment skills when tracking deep balls, maximizing his catch radius
- Effective at using his frame to box out defenders on contested catches, particularly in the red zone
- Shows promise as a route runner, with smooth breaks and the ability to find soft spots against zone coverage
- Versatile enough to line up both outside and in the slot, giving offensive coordinators flexibility in formations
- Demonstrates willingness as a blocker in the run game, using his size to engage smaller defensive backs
- Special teams experience adds value to his NFL draft stock, potentially contributing immediately in that phase
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Needs to improve consistency in his hands, as concentration drops have been an issue throughout his college career
- Can struggle to create separation against physical press coverage, relying too heavily on his size advantage
- Route tree is still developing, with room for improvement in creating crisp breaks and selling fakes
- Despite his straight-line speed, lacks elite short-area quickness to consistently win in small spaces
- After-the-catch ability is limited, often going down on first contact rather than creating additional yardage
Scouting Report: Summary
Sturdivant projects as a developmental X-receiver with the potential to contribute early as a deep threat and red zone target. His combination of size and speed will intrigue NFL teams looking for a player who can stretch the field vertically and create mismatches. While he may not be an immediate WR1, Sturdivant has the tools to develop into a valuable piece of an NFL passing attack.Scheme fit will be crucial for Sturdivant's success at the next level. He would thrive in an offense that emphasizes play-action passes and deep shots, allowing him to use his long speed to get behind defenses. A team with a strong-armed quarterback and an established short/intermediate threat could maximize Sturdivant's big-play ability while he continues to refine the nuances of his game.
Sturdivant's track background adds another layer of intrigue to his NFL potential. His impressive performances in the 100 meters (10.39 seconds), 200 meters (21.23 seconds), and long jump (22-10 1/4) at the Texas 6A state meet demonstrate his elite athleticism. This track pedigree suggests untapped potential in his ability to accelerate, maintain top speed, and make explosive plays in the open field. NFL teams will likely view his track achievements as evidence of his raw athletic ability and an indicator of his capacity to develop into a more dynamic receiver with proper coaching.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate J.Michael Sturdivant (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
218.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
30.0
*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.