Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Size:
Height: 6026
Weight: 257
Arm: 33”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-Big Ten (2023)
“Nic Scourton is a powerful edge rusher who can consistently set the edge against the run while also making an impact rushing the quarterback.”
Strengths:
Strong, violent hands
Versatile frame to play multiple positions
Consistently set the edge against the run
Concerns:
Improve pass-rush angles
Needs to improve consistency in pass-rush moves
Transition from EDGE to IDL
Film Analysis:
Nic Scourton transferred to Texas A&M from Purdue for the 2024 season where he was one of the most sought-after transfers of the offseason. Scourton followed up a double-digit sack season in 2023 with five sacks in 2024. In the SEC, Scourton proved to be a physically dominant edge rusher who can make impactful plays at key moments in a game. At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, Scourton has a unique build having both upper-body and lower-body mass combined with surprising athleticism that allows him to overwhelm offensive linemen by stringing together dominant reps in both the run game and as a pass rusher.
In the run game, Scourton has strong, powerful hands that he shoots to make contact and control offensive linemen. Scourton has strong hands and can dictate the rep by using his strength and controlling the offensive lineman to make sure he sustains outside leverage on the play to set the edge and force the run back inside to the help of the defense. On the backside of the play, Scourton turns into a pursuit player and can pursue the play backside and tackle the ball-carrier. Scourton has the athleticism to effectively shoot gaps and be disruptive as an IDL by getting penetration on the play.
As a pass rusher, Scourton has different ways in which he can win. Because of his frame, his most natural way of winning is to convert speed to power and overwhelm offensive linemen using leverage and strength to get to the quarterback. Scourton can also win with athleticism, surprising offensive linemen with a quick and sudden spin move, or using hand counters to win the rep. Because of Scourton's size and athleticism, he has a unique skill set that sets the platform for him to win pass-rush reps in a multitude of ways.
Scourton’s biggest improvement as a player has to deal with his consistency of high-level reps as a pass rusher. On many reps, Scourton will collide with offensive linemen and try to overpower them by attempting to go straight through them to get to the quarterback. Scourton needs to improve his angles and get the offensive lineman to move their feet and use their momentum against them to set up counter moves and make the rep more difficult. Doing simple things like taking different angles could help Scourton become more consistent and potentially even elevate the number of sacks he gets in any given season.
Overall, Scourton has a unique blend of size, athleticism, and strength for an edge rusher. On the next level, he should be a versatile front-seven defender who can play EDGE but also reduce inside to an athletic hand-in-the-ground IDL.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Notre Dame (2024), Florida (2024), LSU (2024), Texas (2024), Michigan (2023), Ohio State (2023), Nebraska (2023), Iowa (2023)
