Jackson Bennee CB Utah |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #23 ROLE: Slot/Nickel Man/Press CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.52 seconds (40%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #23 | |
| ROLE: Slot/Nickel Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.52 seconds (40%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.6 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
71% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 59.2 | |
| Tackling: |
|
74% |
| Run Defense: |
|
69% |
| Coverage: |
|
62% |
| Zone: |
|
61% |
| Man/Press: |
|
63% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#102
Position rank:
#20 (DB)
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| College Games: 22 College Snaps: 1165 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaylon Jones - Texas A&M |
|
78% |
| Jaylen Watson - Washington State |
|
76% |
| Shyheim Battle - NC State |
|
74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jackson Bennee grew up in Salt Lake City and was a multi-sport athlete at Olympus High School in Holladay, Utah. He did not arrive at Utah as a scholarship recruit, walking on before the 2024 season. His uncle, Danny Vranes, played basketball at Utah and in the NBA.Bennee played in 12 games as a freshman in 2024, mainly on special teams, and made six tackles. He earned a starting role in 2025, and Kyle Whittingham said in August that he was operating in the nickel spot a lot, while defensive backs coach Sharrieff Shah called him amazing. Bennee said that as a walk-on, people do not really notice you at the beginning. He made 64 tackles, second on the team, and intercepted four passes, including a 46-yard pick-six against Cal Poly and an interception in three straight games early in the season. He added his fourth interception and 10 tackles in the regular-season finale win at Kansas, which gave Utah 10 wins, and Utah also won its bowl game.
Bennee has lined up mostly at cornerback in 2026 for an 8-0 Utah team, after playing safety and nickel in 2025. He intercepted passes against Arkansas and Iowa State and had a sack and a forced fumble in the 21-13 win over No. 14 Houston. He has 36 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a sack in eight games, according to Ourlads, and NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter named him among his early 2027 draft prospects.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Six interceptions over the last two seasons, including a pick-six
- Rose from walk-on to a starter for an unbeaten Utah team
- Versatile defender with experience at safety, nickel and cornerback
- Had a sack and forced fumble in the win over No. 14 Houston
- Tackling has improved, with four misses this season after 20 in 2025
- Good speed and instincts, reading the quarterback and driving on throws
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Has allowed 328 yards on 46 targets this season
- Missed 20 tackles in 2025, a pattern teams will check closely
- Light frame that bigger ball carriers and receivers can test
- Gave up 99 yards on three catches at Cincinnati
Scouting Report: Summary
Bennee is an instinctive, ball-hawking defensive back who has gone from walk-on to a starter on an unbeaten team. He has six interceptions over the last two seasons, including a 46-yard pick-six against Cal Poly in 2025, and he reads the quarterback and drives on throws with good speed. He has lined up at safety, nickel and cornerback, and that versatility gives a defense options in sub packages.His 2026 season has shown his growth. He intercepted passes against Arkansas and Iowa State, and he had a sack and a forced fumble in the 21-13 win over No. 14 Houston, showing that he can make plays near the line as well as in coverage. His tackling has also improved, with four misses in eight games after 20 in 2025, and Utah is 8-0. Kyle Whittingham and Sharrieff Shah have praised his work since he earned a role.
However, his coverage has been uneven this season. He has allowed 328 yards on 46 targets and gave up 99 yards on three catches at Cincinnati, so bigger receivers have been able to test him. His frame is light, which shows when he takes on bigger ball carriers in run support, and his 20 missed tackles in 2025 will remain part of his evaluation even with this year's improvement. He has also been flagged three times this season.
Overall, Bennee is a versatile, opportunistic defensive back whose ball skills and walk-on toughness are his selling points. He projects as a fourth-round defensive back with the ceiling of a starting nickel and the floor of a sub-package and special teams contributor. Teams will need to decide whether his best position is in the slot or at safety, where his instincts and range can show. His improved tackling this fall is an encouraging sign for a player still early in his development.
How other scouting services rate Jackson Bennee (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
90.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
22.0
*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.