Elija Lofton TE Miami |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #9 ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.66 seconds (78%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #9 | |
| ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.66 seconds (78%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
62.8 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 126.0 | |
| Hands: |
|
74% |
| Short Receiving: |
|
70% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
|
73% |
| Deep Threat: |
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70% |
| Blocking: |
|
55% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#1140
Position rank:
#36 (TE)
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1017 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Briley Moore-McKinney - Kansas State |
|
89% |
| Matt Bushman - BYU |
|
77% |
| Gee Scott Jr. - Ohio State |
|
77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Elija Lofton was the top player in Nevada in his class at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, where he helped the school go 12-0 and win a state title. He caught 22 passes for 507 yards and eight touchdowns, 30 for 756 and 11, and 29 for 594 and 10 over three seasons. ESPN placed him 208th nationally, and the Polynesian Bowl selected him for its game.Lofton caught nine passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in 13 games in 2024 and also scored on the ground. The 2025 season brought four starts in 15 games behind Alex Bauman, with 23 catches for 218 yards and three scores, but he left the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Ole Miss on a cart and sat out the title game against Indiana.
Lofton has caught 19 of 24 targets for 234 yards and two touchdowns this season. He scored in the 33-20 win at Wake Forest and the 43-35 win over Florida State, and he had three catches for 48 yards at North Carolina. He has been flagged four times this fall.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Caught 19 of 24 targets for 234 yards this season
- Touchdown catches against Wake Forest and Florida State
- Turns short catches into gains, with 150 yards after the catch
- Lines up inline and in the slot for Miami's offense
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Drew four penalties across his first eight games of 2026
- Slender build for a tight end who often lines up inline
- Carted off with an injury in the 2025 playoff semifinal
- Just four starts across 2024 and 2025 combined
- Dropped two passes on 31 targets in 2025
Scouting Report: Summary
Lofton is a reliable, versatile tight end whose role in Miami's passing game has grown. He has caught almost 80 percent of his targets this season and scored against Wake Forest and Florida State.However, he has drawn four penalties, and he lacks bulk for a player who lines up inline so often. He also left last season's playoff semifinal on a cart.
Overall, Lofton is a sure-handed tight end with good athletic traits. He projects as a priority free agent and has another season of eligibility at Miami.
How other scouting services rate Elija Lofton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
596.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
41.0
*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.