James Skalski ILB Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
James Skalski ILB Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/04/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.72 seconds (62%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 26.2 DOB: 02/02/1998 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Pro-Day Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 02/04/2022 | |
| Draft Year: 2022 | |
| 40 time: 4.72 seconds (62%*) | |
| Age: 26.2 DOB: 02/02/1998 | |
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| Pro-Day Results |
| Overall Rating: | 59.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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45% |
| Pass Rush: |
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55% |
| Run Defense: |
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57% |
| Coverage: |
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61% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#529
Position rank:
#57
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1756 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Skalski was a standout at Northgate High School with the unlikely combination of skills as both linebacker and punter - he even played soccer at a high level!He wasn't highly rated coming out of high school but still received offers from Louisville and South Carolina - ultimately he chose Clemson.
He joined Clemson in 2016 and played sparingly - only getting on the field for 20 snaps.
He gained a larger role in 2017 making 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback pressures in 174 snaps over 14 games which included two starting roles.
After being redshirted in 2018 he finally broke out in 2019 and totaled 707 snaps, 105 tackles (7.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery over 15 games as a starter.
In 2020 Skalski was listed as a second-team All-ACC honoree and a second-team all-conference acknowledgment from PFF while logging 44 tackles (3.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups on 291 snaps over nine games.
In a surprising move - that proved just how much James loved college, Skalski announced that he was returning for a sixth year at Clemson, made possible by a special COVID NCAA ruling for 2020.
2021 is progressing nicely for Skalski whereas of mid-November he's logged 60 tackles and over 500 snaps.
Come the 2022 NFL Draft in April Skalski will be one of the eldest players available at 24 - unless he figures out another way to stay in school like a modern-day Rodney Dangerfield.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plays fast, flows with the action, showing smooth lateral agility and short-area burst. He always gives his most on every play and has good instincts and awareness to quickly find the ball.
- Very experienced linebacker who has become the leader of the Tiger defense
- Solid run defender who never lets up
- Uses his low center of gravity to flash leverage and strong, violent hands to create space and shed to either side. Also spins off blocks to disengage
- Being under six feet without the speed to transition outside, he has to scratch out a role in the 4-3 as an undersized producer. His instincts, burst, and reliable open-field tackling gives him a chance to do precisely that.
- Has enough hustle and athleticism to make plays in the flat against running backs. Lacks height but has the vertical and timing to knock away passes when approaching the quarterback
- Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside receivers
- Was a surprising addition to Bruce Feldman's Freaks list -- "Skalski benches 405 pounds, squats 560 but also has some really quick shuttle times, going 4.19 in the 20-yard shuttle, which would’ve been second-best among linebackers at the 2020 NFL Combine and 7.03 in the L-drill."
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He's a tweener who lacks the size to be a dominant thumper inside and may not have the top-end speed to play on the outside in the NFL
- He'll add quality depth but must earn more than a backup/special teams role.
- Can be too hesitant when he doesn't find the ball immediately
- Can struggle aginst faster backs in coverage
- Occasionally overruns plays due to aggressive nature. Hesitates when facing running back Blocks while rushing the passer.
- Despite being very consistent and logging a ton of snaps at Clemson he's never been a dominant player at the college level, which raises concerns he may not be able to compete at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
Skalski is a solid player who will likely be looked at as a late-round prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. He's a smart great effort player, with surprising strength, with good agility but undersized and he may be viewed as a player who might struggle as a pro starter. His best hope is likely as a versitile NFL backup who could provide a significant contribution on special teams.James Skalski percentiles vs other Inside Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate James Skalski (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
385.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
56.0
*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.