Scourton did not participate in athletic testing at the combine or his pro day. He did participate in position drills on his pro day and appeared to move effortlessly.
Nic Scourton grew up in Bryan, Texas, playing high school football at Bryan High School, where he became a dominant force on the defensive line. As a high school senior, he racked up 136 tackles and eight sacks, earning a reputation as one of the more disruptive defenders in the state. His impressive production and physical tools earned him a four-star recruiting grade, and he initially committed to Purdue over several other Power Five offers.
At Purdue, Scourton quickly emerged as a key contributor. After a limited role as a freshman in 2022, he exploded in 2023, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 10 while recording 15 tackles for loss. His ability to win with speed and power made him a nightmare for offensive tackles, and he started garnering national attention as a legitimate NFL prospect.
Following his breakout season, Scourton entered the transfer portal and committed to Texas A&M for the 2024 season. Playing in the SEC allowed him to prove himself against top-tier competition, and he continued to showcase his pass-rushing skills while improving his ability to defend the run.
Texas A&M Edge rusher Nic Scourton #buildingtheboard
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) December 16, 2024
Scourton is an intriguing defensive line prospect who combines prototypical size at 6'4", 285 pounds with surprising athleticism and untapped upside. His frame is complemented by long arms and heavy hands, making him a… pic.twitter.com/bepo3mnzcy
Nic Scourton is one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft, thanks to his rare combination of size, athleticism, and upside. At just 20 years old, he has plenty of room to develop physically and technically. His ability to convert speed to power is impressive, and he’s flashed a solid repertoire of pass-rushing moves, including a spin move that helps him counter tackles who overset. When he commits to playing with power, he can take over reps, but he needs to become more consistent in maximizing his length and developing a true go-to bull rush.
Scourton’s NFL projection is tricky because we’ve seen two versions of him. The 2023 version at Purdue was explosive, quick off the ball, and capable of winning with various pass-rush moves. But in 2024, after bulking up, he lost some of that athleticism and wasn’t nearly as effective. If I’m drafting him, I want the 2023 version—the one who played lighter, moved better, and had the flexibility to win off the edge. The 2024 version? That guy doesn’t do much for me.
His weigh-in at the combine was encouraging, coming in at around 260 pounds. If he can stay in the 260-265 range, as he did in 2023, he has a real chance to succeed as an edge rusher. But that raises a key question: What would the Bears want?
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has historically preferred bigger defensive ends—guys who are at least 6'4" and comfortably carry 270-280 pounds. That’s not an ideal fit for Scourton, who has already shown that playing heavier limits what makes him unique. If the Bears see him as a tweener who doesn’t fit their mold, they may look elsewhere. But if they’re open to using him as a lighter, more explosive edge defender, there’s real potential for him to thrive in Allen's system.
There is a lot to like about Scourton, and the fact that he put up very good college tape at just 18-19 years old leads me to believe his best football is still ahead of him. If Allen and the Bears think so, he could be an option in a trade back from 10 or if he somehow falls to pick #39.
NFL Comparison: Matt Judon
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!