Terhyon Nichols CB Kentucky |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #20 ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.35 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #20 | |
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.35 seconds (93%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
66.7 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 88.4 | |
| Tackling: |
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61% |
| Run Defense: |
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74% |
| Coverage: |
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70% |
| Zone: |
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65% |
| Man/Press: |
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69% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#895
Position rank:
#98 (DB)
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| College Games: 21 College Snaps: 908 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Thompson - Tennessee |
|
86% |
| Dontae Manning - Oregon |
|
82% |
| Justin Walley - Minnesota |
|
79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Terhyon Nichols was a first-team All-Ohio pick at Withrow High School in Cincinnati, where he played defensive back, running back and receiver. As a senior he made 67 tackles and three interceptions and scored 11 touchdowns, three on returns. He set a school record of 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters, also played basketball and chose Kentucky from 36 offers.Nichols played in eight games in 2024 with one start, against Tennessee, and led the team with five pass breakups, though an injury sidelined him for three games. In 2025 he made six starts and five more breakups, but a nagging injury kept him out against Eastern Michigan and he missed the final five games. Mark Stoops said after the Texas game that he was getting more confident.
Nichols re-signed with Kentucky under new coach Will Stein. Against LSU he totaled six tackles and broke up one throw, allowed only one catch against Vanderbilt and has three breakups in six games this season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite speed, with a school-record 10.6 in the 100 meters
- Allowed one catch for minus two yards against Vanderbilt
- Six tackles and a breakup in the game against LSU
- Led Kentucky in pass breakups as a freshman
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Injuries took him off the field in both 2024 and 2025
- Two missed tackles each against South Alabama and South Carolina
- Gave up a touchdown at South Carolina in October
- Has yet to record an interception in three college seasons
- Penalized in the September game at Texas A&M
Scouting Report: Summary
Nichols is a fast, athletic cover man who is now a regular for Kentucky. His elite speed and instincts showed against LSU, when he made six tackles and knocked away a throw.However, injuries cost him time in 2024 and 2025, and he has missed six tackles this year. He has no college interceptions and gave up a touchdown at South Carolina.
Overall, Nichols has the speed teams look for but needs to stay healthy and make more plays. He projects as a priority free agent with room to rise.
How other scouting services rate Terhyon Nichols (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
548.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
115.0
*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.