Thor Griffith DL Louisville | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Thor Griffith DL Louisville
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (51%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (51%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 80.1 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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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75% |
| Pass Rush: |
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78% |
| Run Defense: |
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91% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#292
Position rank:
#54
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1526 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Byron Young - Alabama |
|
84% |
| Matthew Butler - Tennessee |
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83% |
| Kobie Turner - Wake Forest |
|
79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Thor Griffith, a defensive tackle from Louisville, has made waves in the college football world with his impressive journey. Originally from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Griffith's path to the NFL draft began at Harvard, where he spent four seasons before transferring to Louisville for his final year of eligibility.During his time at Harvard, Griffith appeared in 30 games, amassing 132 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. His stellar performance earned him multiple accolades, including first-team All-Ivy League honors and a spot on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. Griffith's dominance was particularly evident in his junior year when he ranked second on the team in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (12).
After graduating from Harvard with a degree in economics, Griffith decided to take his talents to Louisville, seeking to elevate his game and improve his NFL prospects. His transfer garnered significant attention, with schools like Ohio State and Michigan showing interest. However, Griffith chose Louisville, citing the coaching staff's experience and mindset as key factors in his decision.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, demonstrated by his impressive 1.65-second 10-yard split
- Remarkable strength and power - has benched 225 pounds 45 times
- Versatile defender capable of playing multiple techniques along the defensive line, including 4i, 3-tech, and 2i
- High football IQ, quickly processing plays and reacting to blocking schemes
- Violent at the point of attack with solid use of hands, allowing him to dominate offensive linemen
- Impressive short-area quickness for his size, with a 4.57 pro shuttle time that would rank second among DTs at the 2023 NFL combine
- Strong run defender, using leverage to squeeze gaps and shed blocks effectively
- Described as "unblockable" by Ivy League coaches, showcasing his dominance at the college level
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Slightly undersized for an NFL defensive tackle at 6'2", which may limit his effectiveness against taller offensive linemen
- Limited experience against top-tier competition, having played primarily in the Ivy League
- May need to refine pass-rush moves to consistently pressure quarterbacks at the NFL level
- Could improve tackling technique to increase efficiency in bringing down ball carriers
- Potential scheme limitations, as he may be best suited for specific defensive fronts in the NFL
Scouting Report: Summary
Thor Griffith's exceptional first-step quickness and anchor strength position him as an intriguing three-technique prospect with scheme versatility. His elite run defense play, coupled with above-average pass rush production, suggest he could be a day-one contributor in the NFL, particularly as a two-gap defender. However, his overall board ranking indicates some teams may view him as a developmental player with starter upside rather than an immediate impact performer.Griffith's move from Harvard to Louisville demonstrates his willingness to face stiffer competition and refine his skillset against Power Five talent. His background as a state champion wrestler translates to excellent leverage and hand usage at the point of attack. These attributes, combined with his ability to two-gap and penetrate, make him a valuable chess piece for defensive coordinators looking to create mismatches along the interior. His impressive short-area quickness and ability to stack-and-shed suggest he could excel in both one-gap and two-gap schemes.
While Griffith's physical tools and production jump off the tape, his draft stock will likely hinge on how teams project his skills against NFL-caliber offensive linemen. His skill set could appeal to multiple fronts, but he may require a redshirt year to adapt to the nuances of NFL trench warfare. His high motor and football IQ indicate potential to develop into a reliable rotational player with three-down capability. If he can maintain his disruptive presence against elevated competition, Griffith could outperform his draft position and become a valuable interior defender at the next level.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Thor Griffith (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
272.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
57.0
*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.