Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky
Size:
Height: 5084
Weight: 181
Arm: 30”
Hand: 9”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-C-USA (2024)
“Upton Stout is an alignment-versatile defender who plays with a physicality and tenacity that allows him to make plays at all three levels.”
Strengths:
Physical approach
First step
Closing speed
Dynamic blitzer and run defender
Concerns:
Play strength
Shedding blocks
Punch timing in press
Grabby when beat
Film Analysis:
A transfer from North Texas to Western Kentucky, Upton Stout is an alignment-versatile defender who plays with a physicality and tenacity that allows him to make plays at all three levels.
In coverage, finding a niche will be important for Stout. In the slot, he does well in off-man to run and keep players in front of him on crossing and slant concepts, but has issues when having to stay square on routes that press vertical. Plays high and his hips are stiff at this point in time to flip and run. He will also grab if beaten. At safety, Stout’s first step and trigger are apparent, but his lack of size and coverage instincts showcase on longer, deeper vertical routes (Alabama). Lack of size and length shows up on concepts where he has to match pass-catchers downfield. Competitive ball player but lacks the spatial awareness and fundamental coverage traits to project as a contributing piece at this stage in his career.
As a run defender and working downhill, Stout’s profile intrigues. He’s an outstanding blitzer off the edge with an understanding of angles and the ability to reduce his path to the pocket within the midst of larger bodies. He's a physical athlete who plays well behind his pads and is not an athlete who cares what size the opponent is—he will arrive with violence. Good tackler overall but does need refinement in working off blocks. Working within an NFL strength and conditioning program will assist in his ability to add mass, which should improve his success in this category considering the ways in which he’s wired to attack downhill. He’s willing, but at times can run into larger, stronger athletes who can simply anchor or drive him away from plays. This also shows up in coverage.
Overall, Stout is a fiery competitor who projects as a special teams contributor at this point in time with potential rotational secondary work to come down the line should the necessary improvements be made in his ability as a cover man.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 - Scheme-Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Alabama (2024), Louisiana Tech (2024), Eastern Kentucky (2024), Jacksonville State (2024)
