Braylen Russell RB Arkansas |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #0 ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.59 seconds (40%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #0 | |
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.59 seconds (40%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
67.4 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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68% |
| Break Tackles: |
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55% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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70% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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51% |
| Run Blocking: |
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53% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#851
Position rank:
#35 (RB)
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| College Games: 26 College Snaps: 455 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brenden Knox - Marshall |
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69% |
| Stephen Carr - Indiana |
|
68% |
| Byron Cardwell Jr. - San Diego State |
|
66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Braylen Russell ran for 1,643 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior and 1,359 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior, finishing at Benton High School in Arkansas after starting at Lakeside. Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M were among the schools that offered the four-star back.Russell's 2024 freshman season brought 354 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, including 175 yards at Mississippi State on 26 October before he left that game hurt. He entered and withdrew from the transfer portal twice that December. In 2025 he ran 55 times for 286 yards and five touchdowns and appeared on the injury report before the LSU game.
Russell has 205 yards and two touchdowns on 59 carries this season, an average of 3.5 yards a carry. He scored among 17 carries for 49 yards against North Alabama and ran 14 times for 51 yards in the 31-21 win over Vanderbilt.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Ran for 175 yards in the 2024 game at Mississippi State
- Big, powerful back who scored five touchdowns on 55 carries in 2025
- Breaks tackles, with 11 forced misses on 59 carries this season
- Praised by the Arkansas staff for his effort this season
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Averaging only 3.5 yards a carry this season
- Average long speed, so he rarely breaks long runs
- Entered and withdrew from the transfer portal twice in 2024
- Little use as a receiver, with six catches this season
- Injuries interrupted both of his first two seasons
Scouting Report: Summary
Russell is a big, physical running back who has had flashes of production at Arkansas. He breaks tackles and finishes runs, and he showed what he can do with 175 yards at Mississippi State in 2024.However, his 3.5-yard average this season is a concern, and he lacks breakaway speed. He has also had injuries, offers little as a receiver and twice entered the transfer portal.
Overall, Russell is a powerful short-yardage back with limited explosiveness. He projects as a priority free agent who will need a strong finish.
How other scouting services rate Braylen Russell (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
462.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
34.0
*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.