Upton Stout 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Western Kentucky Hilltoppers CB

Tale Of The Tape

Stout is a feisty, fiery cornerback whose athletic profile and aggression bode well for a leap to the pros. He’s aided by a move to the nickel in 2024, which gives him some more proof of concept regarding playing off of blocks on the edges of the core and giving him assertive run fits from depth.

He popped in both phases in a way that suggests he can be further nurtured and encouraged here to develop into a long-term fit. 

This isn’t the most efficient player in space from a footwork perspective, and his margin for error is slim on account of his lack of length and stature to redirect and beat receivers to the football at the catch point. He’s had a couple of play opportunities come up, short in large part because of his stature, and he’ll need to refine and calm his feet to ensure that his twitchy transitional quickness puts him in position to play the football. 

The same stature and reach restrictions are likely inhibitors that will prevent him from getting prolonged looks as an outside corner. Despite how scrappy he is, he’s likely punching outside of his reach and weight class if charged with trying to press or man against bigger-bodied receivers on the outside. The same threat looms with big-bodied players in the slot, but there’s better support awaiting him to cap him in coverage in the nickel. 

In zone coverage, he can be baited and manipulated. The aggression to try to break on the football, paired with some overeagerness when playing overtop of routes, can pull his hips on a line away from the target and create windows. He’d benefit from holding his water here, being more patient, and trusting his athleticism. He has ample twitch to transition and greets the football when he’s balanced and not caught leaning. 

Stout has been opportunistic with double catches and batted balls at the catch point to yield some of his turnover production. That said, his numbers were down, disrupting throws during his transition inside. Is some of that circumstantial? Perhaps. However, the difference in spacing and the importance of leveraging multiple routes appeared to play a part. 

As a run defender, Stout shows stiff pads with his form tackles. He does a good job understanding the need to get his frame behind his challenges and that he doesn’t have great weight to throw around.

That said, his modest wingspan and lack of wrap-up strength can be tested, and he will likely be challenged by NFL competition early on. He shows disciplined eyes to process through blocks and feel the bounce or track of the football.

Even more notable is Stout’s ability to punch and extend and his quick disengagement off of blocks on the edges, which helps keep him as an active support player or gap fitter near the line of scrimmage.

Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Stout projects as a developmental nickel corner at the NFL level. Early on, he may be better served as a primary coverage option and depth piece, but he has the mindset and tackling ability to eventually become a full-time nickel. 

Grade: 72.50/100.00, Fourth Round Value

Big Board Rank: TBD

Position Rank: TBD