Jalen Berger RB UCLA | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jalen Berger RB UCLA
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.58 seconds (43%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.58 seconds (43%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: |
70.0 / 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. | ||
| Rushing: |
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61% |
| Break Tackles: |
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47% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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67% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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42% |
| Run Blocking: |
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54% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#534
Position rank:
#39
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| College Games: 32 College Snaps: 736 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#159
Pos Rank:
#12
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 94/100
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| Ovr Rank: #20 Pos Rank: #6 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seth McGowan - New Mexico State |
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78% |
| EJ Smith - Texas A&M |
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64% |
| Donald Chaney - Louisville |
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62% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jalen Berger from Don Bosco Prep High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Berger joined Wisconsin.In 2020 as a freshman Berger saw action in 4 games for the Badgers as he ran for 301 yards on 60 attempts for 5.0 yards per carry, with 2 TDs, with no fumbles. As a receiver he made just 2 receptions for 13 yards.
As a sophomore in 2021 he played just 3 games. and rushed for just 88 yards on 24 carries for just 3.7 ypc, with one TD, with no fumbles. In the passing game he pulled in just 2 receptions for 17 yards.
After the end of the year Berger transferred to Michigan State where as a junior Berger saw action in 12 games for the Spartans. He ran for 678 yards on 148 attempts for 4.6 ypc, with 6 TDs, with 2 fumbles. As a receiver he made 19 receptions for 128 yards.
As a senior in 2023 he played in 5 games and ran for just 93 yards on 25 carries for just average of 3.7 ypc, with one TD, with no fumbles. In the passing game he had 5 receptions for just 40 yards.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- He’s patient, letting blocks develop then accelerating. Berger runs with a good forward lean and consistently falls forward.
- He’s a quality receiver with soft hands, and Berger shows a good feel for catching and transitioning upfield in the screen game.
- Not truly explosive, but possesses enough speed to beat linebacker to the edge.
- Does not possess top breakaway speed, though he's rarely caught from behind.
- He shows good vision and good explosion upfield once he plants his foot. Berger has lateral movement skills and enough speed to threaten big plays. He’s excellent in the passing game, capable of flexing out as a receiver and creating mismatches against linebackers, and he’s a solid back in the screen game.
- Possesses quick feet and straight-line speed but doesn't have the elite burst to be a constant big-play threat. Improving patience as a runner, following pulling guards and makes good decisions on his cut.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Offers little in pass protection and poor technique cut blocking, fails to do more than slow down blitzers by laying down in front of them.
- Berger really isn’t a guy who will create a lot of separation.
- Berger isn’t slow, but Berger lacks the third gear to be a home run threat. His hands are improving but still inconsistent in the passing game.
Jalen Berger percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jalen Berger (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
674.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
78.0
*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.