NFL Combine Preview: Defense

All Access Football profiles the NFL Scouting Combine invites with a look at names you need to know and players who were snubbed on defense.

Welcome to the February 16, 2025 edition of the All Access Football Newsletter, Presented By Sports Management Worldwide Football Career Conference.

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NFL COMBINE PREVIEW — DEFENSE

The NFL announced 329 invitations to the 2025 Scouting Combine, scheduled for February 27th through March 2nd in Indianapolis. Below, we have listed the players invited at each position on defense, along with one notable name you need to know, plus a look at which prospects were snubbed. Click here for the AAF Combine Preview — Offense.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

NAME TO KNOW: Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia — A dependable run-stuffing nose tackle who has started the past three seasons for the Bulldogs, Stackhouse is able to clog the middle due to his massive size. While these type of players have become somewhat of an endangered species, he brings value as a two down space-eater who enables others to eat.

COMBINE SNUB: Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers — One of the sneakiest prospects to climb up draft boards during the all-star trails, Hamilton is a gritty, throwback who lacks measureables but constantly shows up around the ball. He demonstrates great use of his hands, is violent when discarding blockers and has been coached up well on the fundamentals. He’ll be hard to cut once inside the facility.

PLAYER | SCHOOL [ALPHABETICAL]

• Tommy Akingbesote, Maryland

• Darius Alexander, Toledo

• Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech

• Yahya Black, Iowa

• Warren Brinson, Georgia

• Vernon Broughton, Texas

• Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon

• Alfred Collins, Texas

• Howard Cross III, Notre Dame

• Ethan Downs, Oklahoma

• Joshua Farmer, Florida State

• Mason Graham, Michigan

• Kenneth Grant, Michigan

• Eric Gregory, Arkansas

• Ty Hamilton, Ohio State

• Derrick Harmon, Oregon

• Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina

• Cam Horsley, Boston College

• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia

• Cam Jackson, Florida

• Sai'vion Jones, LSU

• DeAndre Jules, South Carolina

• Rylie Mills, Notre Dame

• Walter Nolen, Mississippi

• Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

• Payton Page, Clemson

• Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech

• JJ Pegues, Mississippi

• Jordan Phillips, Maryland

• Ty Robinson, Nebraska

• T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

• Elijah Simmons, Tennessee

• Tim Smith, Alabama

• Barryn Sorrell, Texas

• Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia

• Junior Tafuna, Utah

• Jay Toia, UCLA

• Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

• Deone Walker, Kentucky

• CJ West, Indiana

• Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

EDGE RUSHERS

NAME TO KNOW: Ashton Gillotte, Louisville — It has been a roller-coaster career for Gillotte who arrived as a 210-pound freshman and departs as a 270-pound menace. Coming off a down season in which his sacks decreased from 11, to just four and a half this past year, some of the shine has lost it’s luster. However, there are plenty of tools to like with Gillotte, who shows nice bend for his size.

COMBINE SNUB: Johnny Walker Jr. — Let’s pour some out and show a little love for Walker Jr., since the combine committee failed to do so. Blessed with ideal size, a quick first step and tremendous toughness, Walker Jr. was one of the most productive pass-rushers in the SEC this past season. In fact, he was arguably the most impressive edge player at the East-West Shrine Bowl last month.

PLAYER | SCHOOL [ALPHABETICAL]

• Tyler Baron, Miami

• Tyler Batty, BYU

• Jordan Burch, Oregon

• Abdul Carter, Penn State

• Fadil Diggs, Syracuse

• Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

• Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

• Mike Green, Marshall

• Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU

• Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State

• Jared Ivey, Mississippi

• Landon Jackson, Arkansas

• Jah Joyner, Minnesota

• Kyle Kennard, South Carolina

• Steve Linton, Baylor

• Sean Martin, West Virginia

• Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA

• James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

• Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech

• Jahvaree Ritzie, North Carolina

• Elijah Roberts, SMU

• Que Robinson, Alabama

• Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

• Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

• Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

• Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

• Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

• Bradyn Swinson, LSU

• JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

• Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi

• David Walker, Central Arkansas

• Mykel Williams, Georgia

LINEBACKERS

NAME TO KNOW: Carson Bruener, Washington — The Huskies team captain had a strong close to the season, registering double-digit tackles in four of his six final games, finishing up the year with a career-high 104 tackles. He displays great awareness, active hands (three interceptions in ‘24) and carries strong NFL bloodlines, as the son of former Steelers tight end Mark Bruener.

COMBINE SNUB: Jacob Dobbs, James Madison — Other than the almighty, critical measureables department, Dobbs otherwise checks off all the boxes. In terms of intangibles such as football IQ, leadership and special teams, Dobbs is a coach’s dream. He was one prospect out of sight and out of mind along the all-star trails but expect him to blow up his pro day workout and hang out in the NFL for a while.

PLAYER | SCHOOL [ALPHABETICAL]

• Eugene Asante, Auburn

• Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

• Carson Bruener, Washington

• Teddye Buchanan, California

• Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

• Barrett Carter, Clemson

• Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky

• Power Echols, North Carolina

• Jay Higgins, Iowa

• Shemar James, Florida

• Kobe King, Penn State

• Jack Kiser, Notre Dame

• Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina

• Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota

• Nick Martin, Oklahoma State

• Bam Martin-Scott, South Carolina

• Francisco Mauigoa, Miami

• Jalen McLeod, Auburn

• Kain Medrano, UCLA

• Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia

• Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

• Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi

• Tyreem Powell, Rutgers

• Karene Reid, Utah

• Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

• Cody Simon, Ohio State

• Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

• Jalon Walker, Georgia

• Jackson Woodard, UNLV

CORNERBACKS

NAME TO KNOW: Isas Waxter, Villanova — A lengthy, strong, press man cover corner who was rarely tested this season after not allowing a single touchdown last year, Waxter brings size, smarts and aggressiveness. The big-bodied, physical corner looks to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Christian Benford (Chiefs), who has been one of the better undrafted free agent signings in recent years.

COMBINE SNUB: Glendon Miller, Maryland — The versatile Miller blossomed into one of the more reliable players for the Terrapins on defense, as coaches have praised his maturity and development. Moonlighting as a nickelback and safety for Maryland, the lengthy playmaker has come up with seven interceptions over the past two seasons. Questions about his timed speed will now have to wait until March.

PLAYER | SCHOOL [ALPHABETICAL]

• BJ Adams, UCF

• Zy Alexander, LSU

• Trey Amos, Mississippi

• Jahdae Barron, Texas

• Cobee Bryant, Kansas

• Denzel Burke, Ohio State

• Mello Dotson, Kansas

• O'Donnell Fortune, South Carolina

• Zah Frazier, UTSA

• Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

• Jordan Hancock, Ohio State

• Jermari Harris, Iowa

• Marcus Harris, California

• Tommi Hill, Nebraska

• Travis Hunter, Colorado

• Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina

• Will Johnson, Michigan

• Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan

• Rayuan Lane III, Navy

• Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers

• Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

• Mac McWilliams, UCF

• Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

• Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon

• Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

• Darien Porter, Iowa State

• Caleb Ransaw, Tulane

• Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

• Quincy Riley, Louisville

• Jaylin Smith, USC

• Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech

• Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State

• Justin Walley, Minnesota

• Isas Waxter, Villanova

• Nohl Williams, California

SAFETIES

NAME TO KNOW: Andrew Mukuba, Texas — It has been a remarkable journey for Mukuba who came to America from Zimbabwe and discovered the gridiron in fifth grade. He would become the first true freshman to start at Clemson, since the school began keeping track in 1972, before finishing up his final year at Texas. He responded with his best season, showing a true nose for the ball and recording five interceptions.

COMBINE SNUB: Shamari Simmons, Arizona State — It was disappointing to see Simmons snubbed after playing a key role in the Sun Devils College Football Playoff run. One of the fastest defensive backs in the draft, Simmons was a constant presence in the backfield, making nine tackles four loss, while showing a propensity for creating turnovers with four forced fumbles. Remember the name for Day 3!

PLAYER | SCHOOL [ALPHABETICAL]

• Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma

• Sebastian Castro, Iowa

• Alijah Clark, Syracuse

• Kitan Crawford, Nevada

• Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

• Maxen Hook, Toledo

• R.J. Mickens, Clemson

• Malachi Moore, Alabama

• Andrew Mukuba, Texas

• Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

• Jaylen Reed, Penn State

• Jonas Sanker, Virginia

• Marques Sigle, Kansas State

• Malaki Starks, Georgia

• Upton Stout, Western Kentucky

• Dante Trader Jr., Maryland

• Malik Verdon, Iowa State

• Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

• Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

• Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

• Craig Woodson, California

PROSPECT OF THE DAY: JACOB DOBBS, JAMES MADISON

DOBBS, JACOB | LB | #27 | rSr | 5112 | 237 | 4.65e | Macomb, MI | Day 3

One Liner: Checks off all the boxes except for height/length. An extension of the coach on the field, tackle machine with freakish athleticism and prestige character.

Evaluation: A true quarterback of the defense. Covers immense ground, ultimate communicator. Quick to fill the gap versus the run and savvy in pass coverage. Sound wrap up tackler, doesn’t miss open-field tackles. He is susceptible to being blown up by bigger offensive lineman, as he is just out-sized. However, he shows the ability to dip and slip blocks, as well as being capable of disengaging to shed and make the tackle on ball-carriers. Appropriately nicknamed ‘Captain America,’ will remind you of Tyler Matakevich.

Measureables: Explosive and strong; posted 34” vertical jump, 9-4 broad jump, 570-pound squat, 500-pound bench, 405 hang clean, 315 power clean and 2.69 twenty-yard dash, in the spring. Measured 0958 hand; 3100 arm; 7468 wing.

Medical: Tore his UCL (triceps) in September of 2022, required surgery (missed rest of the season); still wears an arm brace for comfort but is 100% recovered, per staff. Suffered left AC joint sprain in October of 2023 (missed two weeks).

Background: Smart, team guy, outgoing personality; loves golf. A four-time team captain in college; cliche, ‘type of man you want your daughter to marry.’ Parents are married. One of three siblings; father played football at Wayne State. Was coached by his dad growing up; played quarterback in high school. Hails from the Detroit area; 2024 inductee to the Catholic High School League Hall of Fame. Currently enrolled for his post graduate certificate in cyber intelligence; 3.7 GPA.

College: A six-year senior who collected 74 tackles, three sacks and three fumble recoveries during his lone season for the Dukes. Previously, he started 43 games at Holy Cross, breaking the school’s all-time record with 432 career tackles, along with 46.5 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, four interceptions, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one touchdown. (photo credit: JMU)

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