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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nic Scourton
Photo: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Nic Scourton NFL Draft Profile

  • College: Texas A&M
  • College Position: Edge Rusher
  • Ideal NFL Position: 4-3 Defensive End
  • Height / Weight: 6'3" / 260 lbs
  • Arm Length / Hand Size: 33 1/2" / 10"
  • Year / Age: Junior / 20 (turns 21 in August)
  • Draft Projection: Late Round 1 – Early Round 2
  • Where I’d Take Him: Late Round 1

NFL Combine Results

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. 

Background

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. 

Strengths

  • Scourton has a prototypical frame for an edge rusher with long arms and heavy hands.
  • His excellent speed-to-power conversion allows him to collapse the pocket and overwhelm blockers.
  • He has an explosive first step with long strides that help him gain ground quickly.
  • Scourton possesses an effective pass-rushing arsenal, featuring an impressive spin move to counter oversetting tackles.
  • Positional versatility—He can line up as a traditional edge rusher or kick inside as a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
  • His high motor and physicality make him an asset against the run when he commits to playing with power.
  • His 2023 tape, before transferring to Texas A&M and adding significant mass, shows his upside more clearly. 

Weaknesses

  • Scourton too often relies on finesse over strength, opting for speed-based moves rather than overpowering blockers.
  • He struggles with consistently utilizing his length, often allowing blockers into his frame.
  • "Tweener" concerns—It is unclear whether he should bulk up for an interior role or slim down to remain a true edge rusher.
  • He lacks elite bend around the edge, which could limit his ability to win consistently as a speed rusher.
  • His 2024 tape, following his transfer to Texas A&M and significant weight gain, was disappointing compared to his performance at Purdue.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Nic Scourton

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

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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