2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: DJ Irons, QB, Akron

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	DJ Irons, #0
School (Code)	University of Akron (OHAK)
DOB, Class Yr	N/A, 6th-Year Senior
Height, Weight	6026, 206
40 Yd Dash	4.90e
Position/Depth	QB/1st
Honors/Captainship	2022 Third-Team All MAC, 2019 JUCO All-American Honorable Mention
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	@ TNUN, @ VALB, Vs. MICE
Scout Name / Date	Hayden Russell  08/21/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	10 GP, 253 comp, 380 att, 2,609 pass yds, 10 TDs, 7 INTs; 133 rush att, 314 rush yds, 4 TDs
2021	8 GP, 78 comp, 120 att, 892 pass yds, 8 TDs, 4 INTs; 91 rush att, 296 rush yds, 2 TDs
2020	N/A
2019	11 GP, 115 comp, 185 att, 2,039 pass yds, 21 TDs, 5 INTs; 105 rush att, 274 rush yds, 5 TDs

Player Summary:

DJ Irons is a 6th-year senior QB who is entering his second season as the full-time starter. Transferred from Iowa Central CC where he was an honorable mention All-American, and Eastern Kentucky University where he did not play. Possesses solid height and fringe weight for the position. Looks calm and collected when breaking the huddle, and will change the protection before the snap when identifying defenses and potential blitzes with solid mental awareness. He will go through the full progression when given a clean pocket. Shows off great arm strength and will fit the ball into tight windows on all three levels. Puts nice touch on his passes to fit them over top of defenders. Great deep accuracy; puts the ball in a great location on tough throws including vertical routes on the opposite sideline. Throws the ball on the run with precise accuracy at the short and intermediate level. Often safe with the football and will opt for an open underneath route to keep the drive alive. When the play breaks down, will work the pocket while continuing to find targets downfield. Uses his internal clock when going through his progressions and knows when it is time to take off. Shows great athletic ability and is a weapon in space with his mobility. Shows great competitive toughness and will rise to the occasion to make plays when the picture in front of him is blurry. Adequate decision-making; while he often protects the ball, he shows a tendency to pre-determine where the ball is going and will throw it up to completely blanketed receivers. Adequate anticipation especially on out-breaking routes to the sideline. Fringe poise in the pocket as he breaks down mechanically against teams getting consistent pressure; must learn to settle down when there is no pressure in his face. Needs to improve his short and intermediate ball placement to maximize yards after the catch.

Scheme Fit:

Translates best as a QB at the next level who will benefit from a scheme that utilizes his mobility.

Power Statement:

An intriguing QB prospect with notable physical traits, athleticism, a strong arm, and a great deep ball. Most of his weaknesses come from the mental side of the game, and he needs to settle down in the pocket and better recognize coverages to take his game to the next level.