Cade Uluave LB BYU |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #4 PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jersey: #4 | |
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
80.8 / 100
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
|
35% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
81% |
| Run Defense: |
|
61% |
| Coverage: |
|
75% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#221
Position rank:
#27 (LB)
|
||
| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 2047 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 86/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| JD Bertrand - Notre Dame |
|
77% |
| Curtis Jacobs - Penn State |
|
75% |
| Kain Medrano - UCLA |
|
71% |
Draft Profile: Bio
BYU did not offer Cade Uluave out of Mountain Ridge High School in Utah, so he signed with Cal in the 2023 class after totalling 154 tackles and 26 rushing touchdowns as a two-way player. He was a three-star recruit.The move paid off quickly. Uluave was named Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2023 after making 66 tackles with two interceptions, and he became a team captain and first-team All-ACC pick in 2025, when he made 100 tackles. He played through a hand injury late that season.
After a coaching change at Cal, Uluave transferred home to BYU in January 2026 for his final season and opened it as the starting weakside linebacker. He intercepted a pass in the 28-17 win over Arizona and had a sack in the 27-20 win over Arizona State on 31 October, as the Cougars moved to 7-1.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Times his blitzes well and closes with good speed, getting four pressures against Notre Dame
- Reads the quarterback from zone and drives on throws, picking off a pass against Arizona
- Keeps underneath completions in front of him, holding catches to about eight yards each
- Proven producer who captained Cal and made first-team All-ACC in 2025
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Tackling has been a major problem, with 23 missed tackles in eight games at BYU
- Missed five tackles at UCF and six against Arizona State, losing ball carriers in space
- Run fits lack stack-and-shed strength, and guards wash him out of his gap
- Light frame for an inside linebacker shows when blockers climb to him cleanly
- Allows a high completion rate underneath, with 21 catches on 23 targets this season
Scouting Report: Summary
Uluave arrived at BYU as one of the most sought-after linebackers in the transfer portal, and the traits that made him a captain at Cal still show up. He plays fast, times his pressure well and reads the quarterback from zone, which led to his interception against Arizona and four pressures against Notre Dame.However, his 2026 tape has a glaring problem. He has missed 23 tackles in eight games, including six against Arizona State, and bigger blockers wash his run fits out. A light frame for the position does not help, and quarterbacks have completed almost everything thrown his way, even if the gains are short.
Overall, Uluave brings good speed, real production at two programs and the instincts to help on special teams, but the tackling has to be fixed. He projects as a seventh-round linebacker who will earn his place covering kicks while he cleans up his finishing.
How other scouting services rate Cade Uluave (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
162.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
23.0
*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.