Dontay Corleone DT Cincinnati | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Dontay Corleone DT Cincinnati
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT 0-TECH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/26/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.10 seconds (52%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT 0-TECH | |
| Last Updated: 05/26/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 5.10 seconds (52%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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65% |
| Pass Rush: |
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72% |
| Run Defense: |
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75% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#84
Position rank:
#19
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1214 | ||
ESPN RATING: 72/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Phillips - Maryland |
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78% |
| Joshua Farmer - Florida State |
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78% |
| JJ Pegues - Ole Miss |
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76% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The story of Dontay Corleone reads like something out of his namesake movie - a Cincinnati kid who clawed his way from modest beginnings to become the kingpin of the Bearcats defense. Raised by a single mother alongside three siblings, Corleone transformed from an under-recruited high school prospect into one of college football's most feared interior defenders. At Colerain High School, he dominated the Greater Miami Conference with 137 tackles and 19.5 sacks as a senior, earning Division I First-Team All-Ohio honors while ranking among the top defensive tackles in his class despite receiving just three-star ratings across major recruiting services.After redshirting his 2021 freshman campaign, Corleone exploded onto the national scene in 2022 with a breakout performance that saw him earn Associated Press Third Team All-American recognition and consensus Freshman All-American honors. His 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks anchored a Cincinnati defense that helped the Bearcats navigate their transition from the American Athletic Conference. Pro Football Focus rated him their highest defensive player that season, a remarkable achievement for a redshirt freshman who had spent the previous year learning the system. When head coach Luke Fickell departed for Wisconsin following that breakthrough campaign, Corleone's decision to remain in Cincinnati demonstrated both loyalty to his hometown program and confidence in his ability to excel regardless of coaching changes.
The past two seasons have solidified Corleone's reputation as one of the nation's premier nose tackles, collecting All-Big 12 honors in both 2023 and 2024 despite facing constant double and triple teams. His 2024 campaign was particularly remarkable given the adversity he overcame - blood clots discovered during summer workouts sidelined him for three months and forced him to miss the season opener. Yet "The Godfather" returned with characteristic determination, posting 26 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks across 11 games while earning First Team All-Big 12 recognition. His decision to return for a fifth season in 2025, despite projections as a potential NFL Draft pick, speaks to both his commitment to Cincinnati and his desire to further develop his craft before making the professional leap.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List at #16. He Wrote: "His power is something special. He benches 485, squats 605 and deadlifts 700. He also can really move, clocking 18 MPH on the GPS and running a 4.68 pro shuttle. The only defensive tackle over 300 pounds at the combine with a faster shuttle this year was Wisconsin’s 309-pound Keeanu Benton, who ran a 4.65. "
- Lightning-quick first step for a 320-pounder creates immediate penetration and disrupts timing on both run and pass plays
- Maintains exceptional leverage with natural pad level that allows him to anchor against double teams and control interior gaps
- Demonstrates violent hand technique with a punishing punch that sheds blocks and creates separation from offensive linemen
- Relentless motor drives him sideline-to-sideline with impressive pursuit speed that defies his size and weight class
- Versatile skill set enables him to excel at multiple techniques across the defensive line from nose tackle to three-technique
- Proven run defender who consistently makes tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage while controlling gaps
- Emerging pass rusher whose combination of power and quickness creates consistent pressure up the middle of the pocket
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited starting experience with only three full seasons as a primary contributor may indicate adjustment period at next level
- Occasionally rises up with high pad level which negates his natural leverage advantage against interior offensive linemen
- Pass rush arsenal relies heavily on bull rush technique and needs more counter moves to become elite interior rusher
- Can struggle to disengage quickly when initially stalemated, allowing offensive linemen to sustain blocks longer than desired
- Conditioning questions remain given his size and the demands of playing every down at the professional level
Scouting Report: Summary
When evaluating Corleone's pro fit, his abilities paint the picture of a player whose impact will depend heavily on situational usage and developmental patience. His natural power and leverage create immediate disruption against interior running games, yet questions about his pass rush versatility suggest he may initially find himself relegated to early downs while more dynamic rushers handle third-down work. The blood clot episode that sidelined him for months raises legitimate durability concerns that NFL medical staffs will scrutinize heavily, though his successful return and sustained performance throughout 2024 demonstrate both physical and mental resilience.His ability to command double teams stems from genuine functional strength rather than scheme-dependent advantages, making him valuable regardless of defensive front preference. However, teams expecting immediate three-down production may find themselves disappointed by his limited pass rush repertoire and occasional lapses in pad level that allow offensive linemen to neutralize his natural leverage. The conditioning demands of professional football could expose weaknesses in his stamina, particularly given his size and the increased pace of NFL offenses. Yet his demonstrated work ethic and rapid improvement trajectory suggest these concerns may prove temporary rather than permanent limitations.
Corleone's draft stock likely fluctuates between the second and fourth rounds depending on how teams weigh his proven run-stopping ability against his developmental needs as a pass rusher. His high floor as an early-down contributor appeals to win-now organizations seeking immediate interior stability, while his athletic foundation and motor provide the raw materials for patient franchises willing to invest in his long-term development. The medical clearance process and his 2025 season performance will ultimately determine whether he enters draft discussions as a middle-round contributor or a developmental project worth gambling on in later rounds.
Written By:
Andrew Moore (The American)
How other scouting services rate Dontay Corleone (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
64.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
15.0
*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.