2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jake Bailey, WR, SMU
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Jake Bailey, #12 |
|---|---|
| School (Code) | Southern Methodist University (TXMU) |
| Class Yr | rSr |
| Height, Weight | 5086e, 188e |
| 40 Yd Dash | 4.56e |
| Position/Depth | WR 1st |
| Honors/Captainship | Team Captain (2023)All-Conference USA Honorable mention – WR (2021 Rice)All-Conference USA Honorable mention – offense/special teams (2020 Rice) |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | PATE, MABC, OKUN, LATC |
| Scout Name / Date | Timothy Lemmons, 08/20/2024 |
Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)
| 2023 | 14 G, 42 Rec, 528 Rec Yds, |
| 2022 | 4 G, 12 Rec, 205 Rec Yds, 1 Td |
| 2021 | 11 G, 56 Rec, 714 Rec Yds, 2 Tds, |
| 2020 | 5 G, 23 Rec, 276 Rec Yds, 2 Tds, 145 KR Yds, 477 All-Purpose Yds (Led Team) |
| 2019 | 11 G, 9 Rec, 53 Rec Yds |
Player Summary:
Bailey is a redshirt senior going into his final season. Bailey played at Rice from 2019-2021 until he transferred to SMU for the 2022 season. In the 2022 season, Bailey only played in 4 games due to a season ending injury. Below-average height, solid weight, muscular lower half, moderate length. Above-average AA, burst, toughness, COD. Has decent top speed, but not a burner. Bailey does most of his work from the slot, but will line up outside at times. Most of his routes are short to intermediate. Has good release off the LOS vs. off coverage. Does not see a lot of man coverage opportunities. Average ability to create separation and eat up cushion. Runs crisp routes, gets out of his breaks with a solid burst. Solid hands doesn’t let the ball reel into his body. Good spatial awareness and vision in zone coverage. Displays excellent field awareness near the sidelines. Attacks the ball while coming back to the QB on curls/hitches. Above-average RAC ability. Makes the first guy miss with elusive moves, fights for extra yards, Above-average contact balance. Makes contested catches over the middle knowing he is going to take a shot. Willing blocker, above-average strength.
Scheme Fit:
Slow WR, filling a role to attack the middle, quick inside or outside breaking routes, 3rd down chain mover.
Power Statement:
Overall, Bailey is a solid slot WR. Poor height but solid build. Makes up for size with willingness to be physical and toughness. Above-average speed and AA. Reliable 3rd down target, QBs best friend type of WR. Works well vs. zone coverage with his vision finding the right place to stop and get eyes on QB, great in scramble situations.
Assistant Director of Scouting for the Hula Bowl and long-time writer for NFL Draft Diamonds.