Xavier Thomas DE/EDGE Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Xavier Thomas DE/EDGE Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/12/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (91%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 24.4 DOB: 12/20/1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 04/12/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (91%*) | |
| Age: 24.4 DOB: 12/20/1999 | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 80.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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72% |
| Pass Rush: |
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81% |
| Run Defense: |
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73% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#159
Position rank:
#29
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| College Games: 61 College Snaps: 1888 | ||
ESPN RATING: 94/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#3
Pos Rank:
#2
State Rank:
#1
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 100/100
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| Ovr Rank: #3 Pos Rank: #1 | ||
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| K.J. Henry - Clemson |
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84% |
| Lonnie Phelps - Kansas |
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84% |
| Ronnie Perkins - Oklahoma |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Xavier Thomas burst onto the college football scene at Clemson after a standout high school career split between Wilson High School and IMG Academy. As a freshman at Clemson, he played in 15 games, recording 35 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, earning Freshman All-American honors. Throughout his college tenure, he totaled 121 total tackles, 34 for loss, and 17.5 sacks over 61 games. Despite battling injuries, Thomas garnered Third Team All-ACC honors in 2019 and again in 2021, showcasing his impact on the field when healthy.Coming from Florence, Thomas was highly sought after as a recruit, ranked as a 5-star prospect, and one of the top defensive ends nationally. His agility and speed at the edge position made him a valuable asset for Clemson's defensive line. His dedication to the sport is also reflected in his academic achievements, having earned his degree in criminal justice and a master’s in athletic leadership from Clemson.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional first-step explosiveness, consistently outpacing blockers off the edge.
- Uses a diverse array of pass-rush moves, including swipes, chops, and spins, to defeat offensive tackles.
- Excels in pursuit from the backside, showing great ability to close distances quickly.
- Demonstrates good flexibility and bend at the top of his rush, allowing him to navigate around blockers efficiently.
- Capable of converting speed into power, effectively disrupting the pocket.
- Shows potential in drop-back coverage, indicating versatility in defensive schemes.
- High motor and tenacity on the field, often results in cleanup sacks and continuous pressure.
- Experience and effectiveness in special teams could translate to core special teams roles at the professional level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Struggles with consistency in setting the edge against the run, often getting widened by blockers.
- Arm length and overall frame size may limit effectiveness against larger NFL tackles.
- Has shown a tendency to play with a high pad level, which affects leverage and control.
- Injury history raises concerns about durability and long-term availability.
- While having a variety of moves, there is an inconsistency in executing them effectively under pressure.
Scouting Report: Summary
Xavier Thomas flashes significant upside as a pass rusher, making him an intriguing prospect in the NFL Draft. His explosive first step and elite bend allow him to corner the edge with proficiency, consistently threatening the pocket. Thomas displays a robust pass-rush arsenal, featuring dip/rip maneuvers, cross-chops, and spin moves that make him a matchup nightmare on the outside. However, his game tape also reveals some technical deficiencies, particularly in run defense where his play strength and anchor are tested.Concerns about Thomas' durability are prominent due to a history of injuries that have limited his playtime. His ability to stay on the field will be a critical evaluation point for NFL teams considering his draft stock. Additionally, his lack of ideal arm length and issues with pad level might hinder his ability to disengage from more powerful NFL tackles, posing a challenge in transitioning his college success to the pro level.
Xavier Thomas percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Xavier Thomas (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
157.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
39.0
*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.