Gracen Halton DL Oklahoma | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Gracen Halton DL Oklahoma
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.86 seconds (68%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 21.4 DOB: 01/27/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.86 seconds (68%*) | |
Age: 21.4 DOB: 01/27/2004 | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 84.5 / 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. | ||
Tackling: |
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76% |
Pass Rush: |
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84% |
Run Defense: |
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79% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#88
Position rank:
#23
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College Games: 32 College Snaps: 567 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Howard Cross III - Notre Dame |
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81% |
Byron Young - Alabama |
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81% |
Kobie Turner - Wake Forest |
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77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Gracen Halton made his name at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, where he played both sides of the ball and accumulated 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks as a senior. He also contributed offensively with 14 receptions for 195 yards and five touchdowns. His two-way ability earned consensus four-star recognition from major recruiting services, with ESPN ranking him 264th overall in their top 300 and 24th among defensive ends nationally.Oklahoma secured Halton's commitment after he decommitted from Oregon, beating out Miami, USC, and others for his services. He appeared in 10 games as a true freshman in 2022, recording 10 tackles and one tackle for loss. His sophomore season saw increased involvement with 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss across 11 games. Halton's junior year in 2024 marked his true breakout campaign, starting three games while totaling 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and a safety.
The safety came in a crucial moment against Houston and earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week recognition. Halton has appeared in 32 games over three seasons, accumulating 567 defensive snaps while showing steady development in Oklahoma's rotation.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive get-off at the snap creates immediate pressure and forces protection adjustments before linemen can establish their sets
- Lateral mobility stands out for his frame and allows him to track down plays from sideline to sideline
- Relentless pass-rush motor that generates consistent pressure even when initial moves fail to create immediate separation
- Strong hand usage and leverage techniques help him shed blocks and maintain gap integrity in run defense
- Natural feel for rush lanes and pocket presence allows him to capitalize on quarterback movement and scrambling
- Excellent awareness and anticipation skills help him recognize play development and react accordingly to changing situations
- Versatile skill set allows effective deployment at multiple positions across the defensive line formation without losing effectiveness
- Proven ability to create splash plays in crucial moments, including forced fumbles and game-changing defensive scores
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited size at 6'2" creates challenges when engaging larger interior offensive linemen and affects leverage advantage
- Inconsistent anchor strength against double teams allows offensive lines to move him off his preferred rushing lanes
- Needs refinement in rush move repertoire beyond initial quickness to become more dangerous in extended pass rush situations
- Occasional struggles maintaining gap discipline when over-pursuing can create running lanes for patient ball carriers
- Must improve hand placement consistency to maximize his leverage advantages and avoid reaching penalties in crucial situations
Scouting Report: Summary
Halton's film reveals a player caught between two worlds - his pass-rushing ability jumps off the screen with consistent pressure generation and disruptive timing, yet his run defense shows the growing pains of a smaller interior lineman learning to handle bigger bodies. The contrast becomes apparent when watching him split guards on passing downs versus getting washed out by double teams on early downs. His 291-pound frame creates natural limitations against power running schemes, but that same compact build generates the leverage and quickness that makes him dangerous as a rusher.The modern NFL's emphasis on sub-package usage should benefit Halton significantly, as his skill set aligns perfectly with nickel and dime formations where pass rush takes precedence over two-gap responsibilities. His versatility across multiple spots gives defensive coordinators options, though his size constraints mean he'll likely find his niche in specific situations rather than as an every-down contributor early in his career.
A mid-round investment makes sense for a player whose ceiling involves becoming a productive rotational pass rusher with spot starting capability. His floor remains relatively safe given his proven ability to generate pressure and create splash plays, though teams will need patience as he develops the strength and technique necessary to handle increased snaps against professional-level competition. The evaluation ultimately hinges on whether his exceptional pass-rushing traits can overcome his physical limitations in run defense - a question that will define his pro trajectory.
How other scouting services rate Gracen Halton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
85.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0
*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.