Andrew Mukuba S Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Andrew Mukuba S Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/04/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.3 DOB: 12/07/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 03/04/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | |
| Age: 22.3 DOB: 12/07/2002 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 84.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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82% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 38.7 | |
| Tackling: |
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73% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
| Coverage: |
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98% |
| Zone: |
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95% |
| Man/Press: |
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98% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#85
Position rank:
#14
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| College Games: 48 College Snaps: 2336 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Hickman - Ohio State |
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76% |
| Javon Bullard - Georgia |
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74% |
| Kyler Gordon - Washington |
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70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Mukuba's path to the NFL draft has been anything but conventional. After immigrating to Austin, Texas at age nine, he developed into a dynamic two-way threat at Lyndon B. Johnson High School, where his versatility and athleticism earned him District Offensive Player of the Year honors. His senior campaign showcased the playmaking ability that would become his calling card - 60 tackles, six interceptions, and four forced fumbles on defense, while adding 427 receiving yards and six touchdowns on offense.At Clemson, Mukuba wasted no time making history as the first true freshman defensive back to start a season opener since 1972. His immediate impact earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and multiple Freshman All-American selections. Over three seasons with the Tigers, he accumulated 149 tackles and 20 pass breakups, displaying the range and instincts that had made him a coveted four-star recruit.
His transfer to Texas for his senior season proved to be a masterstroke. Mukuba elevated his game in the SEC, leading the conference with five interceptions while emerging as a defensive cornerstone for the Longhorns. His performance in the SEC Championship game - 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble - demonstrated his ability to deliver in the biggest moments.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive athlete with elite speed and change of direction ability makes him a menace in coverage - watched him mirror a slot receiver step for step against Georgia before breaking up a crucial third-down pass
- Shows exceptional processing speed in zone coverage, consistently jumping underneath routes before quarterbacks can release the ball - his first quarter interception against Michigan was textbook route recognition
- Versatile chess piece who's logged significant snaps at deep safety, in the box, and slot - rare to find a defensive back who can legitimately play all three spots
- Natural ball skills jump off the tape - tracks the deep ball like a receiver and shows late hands to avoid tipping his presence to quarterbacks
- Fluid hip transitions allow him to flip and run with receivers without losing a step - particularly evident in his reps against Florida's vertical passing attack
- High football IQ shows up in his ability to bait quarterbacks - will intentionally leave slight cushion before closing explosively on underneath throws
- Takes precise angles to the football in run support - consistently forces runners to cut back into pursuit despite giving up size
- Shows no hesitation playing downhill and filling run lanes - brings the fight to pulling guards despite his frame
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lean frame at 190 pounds can be a liability when taking on blocks from tight ends and bigger receivers - got washed out several times against Arkansas' power run game
- Tendency to dive at ankles rather than wrap up leads to missed tackles in space - this showed up repeatedly against Georgia's bigger backs
- Can get overaggressive jumping routes, leaving him susceptible to double moves - got caught peaking in the backfield against Kentucky's play action
- Needs to improve upper body strength to prevent getting bodied by NFL-sized tight ends in press coverage situations
- Sometimes loses leverage containment trying to make the splash play rather than staying disciplined in his run fit responsibilities
Scouting Report: Summary
Mukuba has the tools to become a dynamic playmaker in an NFL secondary, particularly in coverage-focused schemes that emphasize versatility and range. His elite athleticism and proven track record against top competition in both the ACC and SEC suggest he can step in immediately as a sub-package defender while developing into a full-time starter. Teams running split-safety looks will especially value his ability to match up in space and make plays on the ball.While his frame needs development before he can be trusted as an every-down player in the box, his exceptional instincts and route recognition skills will make him an immediate asset in passing situations. Modern NFL defenses that prioritize pre-snap disguise and multiple coverage looks will find creative ways to deploy his versatile skill set. His development as a run defender will determine his ultimate ceiling, but his coverage ability alone makes him a valuable piece in today's pass-heavy league.
Most evaluators see Mukuba coming off the board in the early third round, with some teams potentially viewing him as a late second-round target. His elite athletic traits and proven production against top competition outweigh concerns about his frame. Smart defensive coordinators will recognize his potential as a matchup weapon while developing his physicality. He projects as a key contributor in sub-packages who could develop into a difference-making starter by year two.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
Andrew Mukuba percentiles vs other Safetys (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Andrew Mukuba (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
87.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
22.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.