2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jesus Machado, LB, Tulane
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Jesus Machado, #99 |
| School (Code) | Tulane (LATU) |
| Class Yr | Senior |
| Height, Weight | 5116, 220 |
| 40 Yd Dash | 4.63 |
| Position/Depth | ILB / 1st |
| Honors/Captainship | N/A |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | NCEA, FLAT, TXRI |
| Scout Name / Date | Bryan Ault / 8-26-2024 |
Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)
| 2023 | 14 GP, 98 T, 56 Solo, 42 AST, 1 INT, 0 Sack |
| 2022 | 14 GP, 40 T, 23 Solo, 17 Ast |
| 2021 | 11 GP, 10 T, 1.0 TFL |
| 2020 | 6 GP, 2 T, 0.5 Sack |
Player Summary:
RS senior. Starts at LB. More inside than outside. Marginal height but has a well-built frame with broad shoulders, thick arms and developed legs. Good run defender, above-average in pass coverage and untested/unused as a pass rusher. As a run defender he is above-average. Takes good angles to ballcarriers, strong closing speed, solid drag-down tackler. Has good instincts, flows to the ball, is quick to read and react. Displays good ability to tackle behind the LOS. Can square up, stay parallel to the LOS and wrap up. Flashes very good closing speed and pursuit, wastes no time getting from A to B. Has good sideline range and can defend the flat. Plays under control and doesn’t overpursue or overextend, has good knee bend. Good around the goal line – can stick his nose in a pile. More of a drag-down tackler; doesn’t have much thump. Decent block shedder out in space but would like to see him disengage quicker and use his length to create separation. In pass coverage he is above-average. Does a good job of covering RBs and dropping in coverage, wasn’t often thrown to because he covered well. As a pass rusher, he isn’t used much, so it could be evaluated more this season. Isn’t a super-explosive athlete but does a good job with the gifts he has been given and plays well. Good motor, good effort, works to the whistle.
Scheme Fit:
ILB
Power Statement:
Machado is a good run defender and above-average in pass coverage. He would increase his value if he can show he can pressure quarterbacks and develop as a pass rusher.