Marist Liufau LB Notre Dame | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Marist Liufau LB Notre Dame
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.64 seconds (70%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.64 seconds (70%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 80.7 / 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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61% |
| Pass Rush: |
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67% |
| Run Defense: |
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70% |
| Coverage: |
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84% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#162
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1402 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Henry To'oTo'o - Alabama |
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76% |
| D'Marco Jackson - Appalachian State |
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76% |
| Pete Werner - Ohio State |
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74% |
Drafted: ROUND: 3 - Pick Number: 87 (DAL)
Draft Profile: Bio
Marist Liufau from Punahou High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Liufau joined Notre Dame after being heavily recruited.In 2020 as a freshman Liufau saw action in 10 games and played a total of 206 snaps at linebacker for the Fighting Irish. He recorded 13 tackles, 3 assists, while adding 10 stops. In coverage Liufau notched up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and a disapointing QB rating when targetted of 121.8. As a pass rusher, he added 4 total pressures, which included one QB hurry, one QB hit, and 2 sacks on the season.
As a sophomore for the Fighting Irish in 2022 Liufau played in 12 games and took part in 601 snaps for the Fighting Irish. He recorded 30 tackles, 17 assists, while adding 15 stops. In coverage Liufau made one pass breakup, one interception, and an elite QB rating when targetted of 26.5. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 11 total pressures, and 10 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack during the year.
In 2023 as a junior Liufau played in 12 games and contributed on 595 snaps. He recorded 29 tackles, 14 assists while making 22 stops. In coverage Liufau chalked up one pass breakup, and QB rating when targetted of 90.2. As a pass rusher, he produced 26 total pressures, which included 17 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the year.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Liufau exhibits a high football IQ and sound field awareness, essential for executing defensive strategies effectively.
- His physicality at the point of attack and ability to engage with blockers highlight his robust defensive technique.
- Displays impressive first-step acceleration and an always-active motor, enabling him to reach the play swiftly.
- Proficient in coverage, especially in short-area zones, due to his good eye discipline and ability to locate threats quickly.
- Effective blitzer with a decent hand-swipe move, showcasing his versatility on defense.
- Consistently demonstrates the ability to take on and shed blocks, playing with enough violence in his hands.
- Known for his aggressive playing style, which is evident in how he challenges runners and tight ends.
- His endurance and robust frame allow him to handle the physical demands at the linebacker position.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks consistent play instincts, which sometimes leads to missteps and less effective space coverage.
- Needs to improve anticipation and decision-making, especially in diagnosing plays and choosing tackling angles.
- Can be overly aggressive, leading to potential penalties for roughing or late hits in the NFL.
- Struggles with functional strength against more sizeable offensive players, affecting his efficacy against the run.
- Occasional lapses in open-field tackling technique, which could lead to increased missed tackles at the professional level.
Scouting Report: Summary
Marist Liufau enters the NFL Draft with a solid foundation of athleticism and football IQ, shaped by his tenure at Notre Dame. As a linebacker, he has shown the capability to make plays with his quick first step and tenacious approach to contact. However, his progression at the pro level will require sharpening his instincts and tactical awareness, particularly in space and against complex offensive schemes. While his motor and physicality are assets, they must be tempered with better discipline to avoid penalties and optimize his impact on plays.Liufau's value extends beyond his defensive role; his special teams experience at Notre Dame underscores his versatility and team-first attitude. This aspect of his game is critical, as it provides an immediate avenue for contribution while he continues to develop defensively. However, to secure a more permanent spot as a linebacker, he will need to demonstrate improved play recognition and adaptability in handling NFL-level competition.
Overall, Liufau is a potential late-round pick whose draft stock could benefit from his special teams prowess and physical tools. His success in the NFL will hinge on his ability to refine the raw elements of his game and adapt to the faster pace and higher skill levels.
Marist Liufau percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Marist Liufau (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
161.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
17.0
*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.