Taurean York

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Scouting Report

Instinctive and productive linebacker with veteran-like play diagnosis who brought his missed tackle percentage down to 8.2% in 2025. Recorded 229 tackles, 25.5 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks over three seasons as an immediate starter. His height (5'10") falls well below normal NFL thresholds for the position, limiting his perceived ceiling despite excellent playmaking ability.

Player Comparison

Strengths

• Exceptional diagnostic ability allows him to process blocking schemes instantly, rarely taking false steps or getting caught up in misdirection despite aggressive play style.
• Natural leverage-winner who plays bigger than his 6'0" frame, consistently getting underneath blockers' pads to maintain gap integrity in congested areas.
• Exceptional tackler with advanced technique and finishing power - 89.8 tackle grade backs up the film showing he rarely misses when getting hands on ball carriers.
• Shows juice as a blitzer with sharp timing and compact burst, demonstrated in the Texas game where he knifed through protection schemes multiple times.
• Field commander who owned pre-snap adjustments as a sophomore, showing veteran-level communication skills and alignment recognition rarely seen in underclassmen.
• Operates with controlled violence through contact, displaying tremendous core strength to absorb and shed blockers without sacrificing positioning or balance.
• Tracks ball carriers through traffic with disciplined eyes, showing rare ability to maintain sight lines while navigating through blocking schemes.
• Better coverage defender than metrics suggest - shows fluid hip rotation and spatial awareness when dropping into zones or matching underneath routes.

Areas to Improve

• Limited by frame dimensions that occasionally surface against longer offensive linemen who can lock him out when he doesn't win with initial quickness.
• Coverage responsibilities against slot receivers present matchup challenges - lacks elite change-of-direction ability when forced to mirror shifty receivers laterally.
• Occasionally brings excessive momentum downhill that narrows tackling angles, limiting his ability to adjust to sudden cutbacks when committed.
• Needs technical refinement as a pass rusher, often relying on pure effort rather than developed counter moves when initial path is obstructed.
• Takes unnecessary contact at times rather than using finesse to navigate through trash, creating unnecessary wear despite impressive durability thus far.