Taylor Upshaw OLB/EDGE Arizona | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Taylor Upshaw OLB/EDGE Arizona
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.80 seconds (20%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Hula Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.80 seconds (20%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Hula Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 73.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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62% |
| Pass Rush: |
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71% |
| Run Defense: |
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62% |
| Coverage: |
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54% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#323
Position rank:
#31
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| College Games: 49 College Snaps: 1213 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Riley Cole - South Alabama |
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86% |
| Zach McCloud - Miami |
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81% |
| Tyree Johnson - Texas A&M |
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74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Taylor Upshaw from Braden River High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Upshaw joined Michigan.In 2019 as a freshman Upshaw saw action in 5 games and played a total of 34 snaps for the Wolverines. He recorded only one tackle, no assists, while adding one stop.
As a sophomore for the Wolverines in 2020 Upshaw played in 6 games and took part in 209 snaps for the Wolverines. He recorded 10 tackles, 6 assists, while adding 8 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 6 total pressures, and 3 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and one sack during the year.
In 2021 as a junior Upshaw played in 12 games and contributed on 207 snaps. He recorded only 4 tackles, 2 assists while making 4 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 16 total pressures, which included 11 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 3 sacks on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Upshaw logged playing time in 13 games and logged a total of 256 snaps for the Wolverines. He also added only 8 tackles, no assists, and 9 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 20 total pressures, which included 14 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 4 sacks on the season.
After season's end Upshaw transferred to Arizona where as a fifth year senior for the Wildcats in 2023 Upshaw played 12 games and took part in 474 snaps for the Wildcats. He also added 13 tackles, 8 assists, and 17 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 35 total pressures, which included 20 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and an impressive 8 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Coordinated footwork and balance. Makes more plays in pass coverage than expected because of his natural football instincts.
- Brings down quarterbacks much bigger than Upshaw is. Very good motor and regularly chases down plays from behind.
- Tough between-the-tackles defender who shimmies past blockers to fill lanes. Downhill, aggressive run-stuffer with enough strength to stop ballcarriers in the hole.
- Some teams will prefer him as a 4-3 Will, but he has a chance to hold up in the middle and be a good one.
- Upshaw possesses an intriguing blend of size and movement skills. He has good length, wide shoulders, and long arms, and he has room to add weight.
- Upshaw can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Because of his athletic limitations, Upshaw lacks the ceiling of some of this draft’s top edge rushers
- Upshaw won’t be able to run with most tight ends in coverage. While he’s a capable blitzer, he’s not a pass-rush threat on his own.
- Upshaw also has a tendency to be too aggressive attacking downhill, and he can be beat on counter plays and cutbacks.
Taylor Upshaw percentiles vs other Outside Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Taylor Upshaw (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
340.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
37.0
*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.