2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tahj Brighthaupt, OT, West Alabama
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Tahj Brighthaupt, #73 |
| School (Code) | West Alabama (ALWE) |
| DOB, Class Yr | 5/27/98, Graduate Student |
| Height, Weight | 6080, 340 |
| 40 Yd Dash | N/A |
| Position/Depth | LT, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | N/A |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | MSCO, @GAWE, GAVA, FLWE |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 2/7/24 |
Per Year Stats
| 2023 | (West Alabama) 9 GP (9 GS) |
| 2022 | (Bethune-Cookman) 8 GP (8 GS) |
| 2021 | (Shorter) 11 GP (11 GS) |
| 2020 Spring | (Shorter) 4 GP (4 GS) |
| 2020 | (Covid Opt-out) DNP |
| 2019 | (FIU) 1 GP |
| 2018 | (FIU) DNP |
| 2017 | (UAB) Redshirt Season |
Player Summary:
Tahj Brighthaupt is a seventh-year OT with prominent size, substantial physical measurements, and an exponentially large lower half. Spent three seasons playing at the FBS level between UAB & FIU before bouncing around the FCS & D2 ranks with Shorter, Bethune-Cookman, and West Alabama. Gained extensive playing time at both Tackle spots over his final four seasons of eligibility. Offers solid UOH and a strong punch at the POA. His punch location is relatively accurate, but he could get caught grabbing too far outside a defender’s frame. Locks up EDGE rushers when he latches his hands inside the chest plate and uses his 86-inch wingspan & 10.3-inch hands to defuse counter moves when engaged in his pass set. Presents competitive play strength and capable ankle/knee bend to strain & anchor against the bull rush. His below-average foot speed and lateral agility in his kick slide leave him susceptible to getting run around the hoop by twitchy speed rushers, so he will likely have to kick inside to a guard spot at the next level. Offers nimble initial quickness to cut off IDL on zone-blocking concepts. Not the most explosive OL off the ball, but he maintains ample foot drive to sustain blocks and move bodies across the LOS. Signals deceptive lower-body flexibility when flipping his hips to reset his base and open up vertical rushing lanes in the interior. Would like to see him operate with a higher motor to finish blocks more consistently. Boasts adequate AA & functional mobility to execute short pulls and advance up to the second level. Possesses decent mental instincts to adjust to twist stunts but displays deficient awareness in the open field when searching for extra work downfield. His atypical size, massive frame, and potential upside as a swing guard should help him stand out against other small-school offensive line prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Scheme Fit:
Zone-blocking Left Guard
Power Statement:
Brighthaupt is an intriguing small-school OL prospect with alluring physical traits, strong hand use at the POA, and requisite initial quickness to beat defenders to his spot in the run game. He also exhibits sufficient ankle/knee bend and COG to strain against interior power rushers in his pass set.