Yhonzae Pierre LB/EDGE Alabama |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #42 PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/28/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.60 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 10/13/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #42 | |
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 09/28/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.60 seconds (79%*) | |
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 10/13/2004 | |
| Overall Rating: |
87.3 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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48% |
| Pass Rush: |
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74% |
| Run Defense: |
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74% |
| Coverage: |
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78% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#17
Position rank:
#4 (LB)
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| College Games: 29 College Snaps: 855 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Drew Sanders - Arkansas |
|
81% |
| Trey Moore - Texas |
|
77% |
| Jaishawn Barham - Michigan |
|
72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Pierre was not even projected to start entering 2025, but early injuries opened the door at Alabama and he never gave the job back, leading the Crimson Tide with nine sacks in a breakout season.He generated pressure in bunches and forced three fumbles, saving standout games for Tennessee and South Carolina, and chose to return to Tuscaloosa rather than enter the draft.
The early 2026 returns have been steady rather than gaudy, but he flashed range beyond the rush with a 27-yard pick-six, adding two tackles for loss and a sack through the first month.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Productive pass rusher, generating forty-five pressures and nine sacks
- Beat Tennessee for two sacks and six total pressures
- Among the SEC's most disruptive edges, a high-volume presence
- Holds the edge against the run with thirty-four stops
- Pressured South Carolina seven times while logging five run stops
- Stripped three fumbles, converting pass-rush wins into takeaways
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Tackling is a real flaw, with thirteen misses on the year
- Dips in coverage when dropped into space off the edge
- Pass rush trails the sack production, suggesting some splash
- Pad level climbs late, costing him the corner on long rushes
Scouting Report: Summary
Pierre is a high-motor rusher with a quick get-off who turned a productive breakout into nine sacks and strip-sacks, and he sets a firm edge against the run with thirty-four stops, so the projection is broader than a pure speed rusher. However, he missed thirteen tackles, his coverage dips when dropped into space, and the disruption outruns the sack count at times, which points to some boom-or-bust rather than week-to-week steadiness.Overall, Pierre is a disruptive presence who plays with a relentless motor, but the tackle finish has to tighten to hold up every down. He projects as a three-down starter who kicks inside as a sub-package rusher, with the ceiling of a high-end starter if the finishing cleans up.
How other scouting services rate Yhonzae Pierre (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
21.1
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*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.