2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaylen McCollough, DB, Tennessee
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Jaylen McCollough, #2 |
| School (Code) | TNUN |
| DOB, Class Yr | 10/12/2000, Fifth-Year Senior. |
| Height, Weight | 6000, 206 |
| 40 Yd Dash | N/A |
| Position/Depth | SS, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | 2x Tennessee Team Captain (2022, 2023) |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | @ALUN, KYUN, @MOUN, GAUN, TNVA |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 1/18/24 |
Per Year Stats
| 2023 | 13 GP (13 GS), 58 Tkls, 2.5 TFL, 3 INT, 8 PBU |
| 2022 | 11 GP (11 GS), 58 Tkls, 4.0 TFL, 2 PBU |
| 2021 | 13 GP (13 GS), 49 Tkls, 3.5 TFL, 1.0 Sk, 3 INT, 1 FF, 8 PBU |
| 2020 | 10 GP (8 GS), 43 Tkls, 2.5 TFL, 2 PBU |
| 2019 | 13 GP (6 GS), 33 Tkls, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 Sk, 2 PBU |
Player Summary:
McCollough is a veteran safety who appeared in 60 games (including 51 starts) during his five-year career at Tennessee. He provided critical leadership for the Volunteers as a team captain in 2022 and 2023. With an athletic, mesomorphic frame and a durable build, McCollough offers compulsory height/weight measurements for the safety position. He operates with infectious effort/energy and has proven to be a valuable asset against the run. He has ample size and toughness to attack downhill and contribute as a run defender in the first level. Exhibits a quick trigger, swift burst to close, and secure open-field tackling ability. He purses the ball to all areas of the field with great straight-line speed and range. His straight-line speed and range translate to proficient deep zone coverage ability as a cover-1 safety. Boasts the requisite play speed and make-up speed to maintain a tight cushion while in man coverage. Comfortable playing press man at the LOS. Uses high FBI and awareness to adjust to switch releases within the first five yards. Possesses quality instincts and reactionary athleticism to jump into passing lanes. Violently plays through the hands at the catch point to force incompletions. Also presents solid hand-eye coordination and ball skills through contact to create turnovers. Team-first player who can produce on special teams if called upon. McCollough’s SEC playing experience, leadership ability, and DB versatility are valuable attributes that will help him find his way onto an NFL roster come training camp.
Scheme Fit:
4-2-5 Strong Safety with the upside to drop down into the first level as a strong nickel.
Power Statement:
As one of the most experienced defensive backs in the 2024 draft class, Jaylen McCollough provides the necessary FBI, leadership, competitiveness, and scheme versatility that teams covet in the secondary.