A.J. Holmes Jr. DL Texas Tech |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #10 SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 08/30/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.95 seconds (51%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.9 DOB: 11/07/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #10 | |
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 08/30/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.95 seconds (51%*) | |
| Age: 22.9 DOB: 11/07/2003 | |
| Overall Rating: |
87.2 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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72% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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65% |
| Pass Rush: |
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74% |
| Run Defense: |
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89% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#21
Position rank:
#4 (DL)
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| College Games: 42 College Snaps: 1809 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kris Jenkins - Michigan |
|
93% |
| Byron Young - Alabama |
|
88% |
| Rayshaun Benny - Michigan |
|
83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Out of Westfield High School in the Houston area, Holmes was the District 14-6A unanimous MVP as a senior before signing with Houston. He spent three seasons with the Cougars, appearing in 29 games with 16 starts and totaling 67 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.Holmes transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season and broke out as one of the nation's most disruptive interior linemen. Across all 14 games he posted 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, anchoring a Red Raiders defense that reached the College Football Playoff.
He earned Associated Press Second-Team All-America honors and a spot on the AP All-Big 12 First Team. His best tape came against the top of the schedule, including a dominant afternoon against West Virginia and a two-sack, eight-pressure game at Kansas, and he closed the year against Oregon in the playoff.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Anchors with a firm, leveraged base and resets the line against down blocks
- Best as a run defender, with a nose for the football in the interior gaps
- Heavy, active hands to stack, shed and finish at the point of attack
- Shoots interior gaps on slants to disrupt behind the line
- Stacked disruption on a rotation, 37 pressures and 23 run stops in 14 games
- Saved his best for the finish, five pressures apiece against Kansas and West Virginia
- Competes with a nasty, motor-driven edge on every snap
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pass rush is more effort than plan, and attempts can stall against set blockers
- Average timed speed shows up as limited range beyond his gap
- Wins with power before finesse, and the hand-to-hand counters are a work in progress
Scouting Report: Summary
A disruptive interior anchor at Texas Tech, Holmes made his living as a run defender in the Red Raiders' front, filling gaps and resetting the line of scrimmage from a leveraged position against Big 12 competition. He plays with heavy, active hands and a nose for the ball, stacking single blocks and holding firm against double teams, and his tackle production stands out for a rotational nose. He shoots gaps on slants to reach the backfield and saved his best for the finish, pressuring the passer five times apiece against Kansas and West Virginia.However, his pass rush is still a work in progress, leaning on power and motor more than a refined plan, and rushes can stall when set blockers get their hands on him first. His average timed speed also limits how much range he offers beyond his gap.
Overall, Holmes projects as a starting-caliber interior run defender who can anchor early downs from day one, with the pass-rush upside tied to developing a counter or two off his bull. He fits an odd or even front that wants a leveraged, physical presence to hold the point of attack, and a team that values that role up the middle will see a plug-and-play piece against the run. The floor is a rock-solid rotational run defender; the ceiling depends on the rush developing.
How other scouting services rate A.J. Holmes Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
42.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*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.