2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaylen Mahoney, DB, Vanderbilt

Jaylen Mahoney is a versatile DB for Vanderbilt who displays good lateral quickness. Hula Bowl scout Solomon Sterling breaks down Mahoney as an NFL Prospect in his report

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Jaylen Mahoney, #23
School (Code)	Vanderbilt University (TNVA)
Class Yr	Redshirt Senior
Height, Weight	5110, 200 lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.53e
Position/Depth	DB/1st
Honors/Captainship	2x SEC Academic (20,22) 2x Team Captain (22,23)
Season Viewed (yr)	2023
Games Watched	GAUN, MSUN, SCUN
Scout Name / Date	Solomon Sterling, 11-29-2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	59 Total Tackles, 38 Solo, 21 Ast, 6 PD
2022	55 Total Tackles, 37 Solo, 18 Ast, 1 Sacks, 1 INT
2021	52 Total Tackles, 40 Solo, 12 Ast, 2 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, 2 INT
2020	57 Total Tackles, 33 Solo, 24 Ast, 1 FR
2019	23 Total Tackles, 10 Solo, 13 Ast, 1 Sack, 2 PD

Player Summary:

5th year in the program. 2x SEC Academic Honors. 2x Team Captain. Mahoney has been used in a multitude of ways in Vandy’s 4-2-5 Scheme. Plays mostly FS and SS but can slide in at slot corner. Good height and weight. Solid build with decent arm length. Not an overall fast guy but uses his technique well to make up for lack of speed and explosiveness. Has good balance and lateral quickness that gives him the ability to get in and out of breaks smoothly. Solid hand. Above-average tackler that brings a lot of physicality and pop to the game. Above-average at reading and reacting, and excels at tackling in space. Had 16 tackles alone in his games against GAUN. Has good ability to bail out, shift his hips, and fly towards where the ball is located. Average in press coverage. Will travel side-line to side-line in coverage. Good in the run game. Tends to be more impactful in the playing in the box closer to the LOS. Good at being able to read and replace. Shows good ability at giving opposing QBs a false look pre-snap and then dropping to another spot in coverage. Hasn’t done a lot this season but shows ability not only to break-up passes but also the ability to create turnovers.

Scheme Fit:

SS/Slot Corner

Power Statement:

Mahoney is an average defensive back that’s intelligence and physicality on the field gives him the ability to be used in multiple spots at the next level.