Junior Colson LB Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Junior Colson LB Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.58 seconds (83%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 12/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.58 seconds (83%*) | |
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 12/06/2002 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 86.4 / 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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97% |
| Pass Rush: |
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68% |
| Run Defense: |
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85% |
| Coverage: |
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84% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#46
Position rank:
#3
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1778 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Marte Mapu - Sacramento State |
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71% |
| Dorian Williams - Tulane |
|
70% |
| Jack Campbell - Iowa |
|
69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Junior Colson emerged from Ravenwood High School as a 4-star recruit, transitioning from soccer in Haiti to American football. At Michigan, he quickly made his mark. As a freshman in 2021, Colson played in 14 games, amassing 36 tackles, 20 assists, and 2 pass breakups over 521 snaps. His pass rush added 8 pressures, including a sack.
In 2022, his role expanded across 13 games and 661 snaps, improving to 56 tackles, 37 assists, and recording 3 sacks, showcasing his growth. By his junior year in 2023, Colson's stats remained robust over 13 games; he tallied 54 tackles and contributed to the pass rush with 10 total pressures.
Throughout his Michigan tenure, Colson earned Second Team All-Big Ten (2023), was a Lott IMPACT Trophy Finalist (2023), and received Third Team All-Big Ten honors (2022). His journey from Haiti to becoming a defensive stalwart at Michigan highlights his adaptability and growth, setting the stage for a promising future in football.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Impressive coverage skills, able to stay in-phase against running backs and tight ends.
- Quick to diagnose play action, showcasing fast reaction times to get to depth/landmarks.
- Exhibits strong run defense, adept at sifting through chaos and making key stops.
- Effective communicator pre-snap, ensuring defensive alignment and awareness.
- Consistent tackler with the ability to use body weight effectively to bring down opponents.
- Has the speed and agility to cover vertical routes and contribute effectively in Tampa 2 schemes.
- Demonstrates good instincts and ability to read the quarterback's eyes in zone coverage.
- Brings a physical presence to the field, willing to engage and take on blocks.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Struggles with changing direction quickly due to tighter hip flexibility.
- Occasionally hesitant against zone runs, leading to late gap fits or misreads.
- Inconsistent in using hands against the run, leading to difficulties disengaging from blocks.
- Angles against outside runs can be shallow, allowing faster backs to beat him to the corner.
- Lacks the downhill, aggressive mentality that limits playmaking opportunities in the backfield.
Scouting Report: Summary
Junior Colson's collegiate career at Michigan has positioned him as a versatile linebacker capable of making an immediate impact in the NFL. Colson's ability to play in various defensive schemes, particularly in coverage against tight ends and running backs, makes him a valuable asset in today's pass-heavy NFL. While his run defense and block shedding need refinement, his athleticism and football IQ suggest he can adapt and grow in these areas with NFL coaching.Teams looking for a linebacker who can contribute on all three downs and excel in coverage will find Colson appealing. His work ethic and upward trajectory suggest he could develop into a starting linebacker, with the potential to exceed expectations at the pro level. However, his immediate fit may be as a rotational player on defense and special teams contributor, where he can use his athleticism and tackling skills while adapting to the NFL's speed and physicality.
His blend of skills and potential for growth make him an intriguing prospect. If he can quickly adapt to the professional game and refine his technique against the run, Colson has the makings of a quality NFL linebacker. With the right team and coaching staff, he could carve out a significant role and become a valuable piece of an NFL defense. His journey from Haiti to the NFL draft is a testament to his resilience and dedication, qualities that will serve him well at the next level.
Junior Colson percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Junior Colson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
59.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
7.0
*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.