Jordan Hancock S Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jordan Hancock S Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Man-Zone Free Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/16/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.7 DOB: 08/12/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Man-Zone Free Safety | |
| Last Updated: 03/16/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | |
| Age: 21.7 DOB: 08/12/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 63.0 | |
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Run Defense: |
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74% |
| Coverage: |
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83% |
| Zone: |
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82% |
| Man/Press: |
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79% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#198
Position rank:
#34
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1356 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
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247 RATING: 97/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Hickman - Ohio State |
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83% |
| Tykee Smith - Georgia |
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82% |
| Renardo Green - Florida State |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A former high school standout from North Gwinnett in Suwanee, Georgia, Jordan Hancock originally committed to Clemson before flipping to Ohio State – a decision that paid dividends for both parties. A top-100 national recruit, Hancock brought versatility and playmaking ability to a Buckeye defense that consistently ranked among the nation's elite.After cutting his teeth on special teams and in limited defensive snaps during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, Hancock's career took flight during the 2023 season when he appeared in all 13 games with seven starts. His junior campaign showcased his all-around game with 41 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions – including a momentum-shifting 93-yard pick-six against Rutgers. Hancock saved his best for last in 2024, recording career-highs across the board with 48 tackles and eight pass breakups while playing a pivotal role in Ohio State's championship run, including a critical third-down PBU in the title game against Notre Dame.
The 6'0", 195-pound defensive back leaves Columbus with an impressive résumé that includes 41 career games, 23 starts, three interceptions, and honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Perhaps most impressively, Hancock helped anchor a 2024 Buckeye defense that finished ranked first nationally in both scoring defense and total defense while claiming the program's first national championship since 2014. His adaptability to line up at cornerback, nickel, and safety made him a chess piece in Ohio State's complex defensive scheme and has evaluators intrigued about his potential at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Positional chameleon who can legitimately play corner, nickel, or safety – defensive coordinators will drool over the scheme versatility he brings to the table.
- Smooth backpedal with oily hips – changes direction without gearing down and maintains balance through quick transitions when mirroring routes.
- Closes cushion in a hurry when playing off coverage – patient at the line but explodes forward with serious click-and-close ability to disrupt underneath throws.
- Shows a real nastiness when punching and rerouting receivers at the line – creates legitimate disruption with heavy hands in press technique.
- Diagnostic skills shine brightest in zone coverage – processes route combinations quickly and keeps vision alternating between quarterback and receivers.
- Disciplined in zone assignments and leverages his space effectively – understands when to pass off receivers and rarely gets caught peeking in the backfield.
- Brings cornerback-level athletic traits to nickel and safety alignments – fluid enough to handle slot receivers while possessing size to match up with tight ends.
- Championship pedigree with clutch gene – repeatedly made game-altering plays in the biggest moments, including critical third-down PBU in national title game.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Frame lacks ideal bulk at 195 pounds – will need to add functional strength without sacrificing his fluid movement skills to handle NFL physicality.
- Can get grabby at the top of routes when receivers gain initial separation – tendency to clutch and hold will get flagged consistently at next level.
- Premature hip turns and technical lapses appear when matched against sudden route runners – needs refinement against double moves.
- Run support effort is there but technique disappears too often – arrives with proper angle but fails to consistently wrap up, leading to missed tackles.
- Gets walled off by blockers in the run game – struggles disengaging once offensive players latch onto his frame, limiting his impact against outside runs.
Scouting Report: Summary
Hancock enters the league with clear strengths in coverage versatility but equally evident limitations that will define his early career trajectory. His tape reveals a defender comfortable diagnosing plays from zone alignments, yet his struggles against physical receivers and in run support could limit his every-down impact. While his ability to line up at multiple spots provides valuable roster flexibility, coordinators will need to be selective about his matchups until his frame and play strength catch up to NFL standards.The flashes of brilliance – like that crucial third-down PBU against Notre Dame in the title game – showcase his potential in high-leverage situations. However, the same film reveals a defender who can lose leverage against savvy route runners and struggle to disengage once blockers latch onto him. His backpedal fluidity and change-of-direction skills are NFL-caliber, but his inconsistent tackling and tendency to grab at route tops will be exploited by veteran quarterbacks and receivers at the next level.
The developmental path likely begins with sub-package roles that maximize his coverage instincts while minimizing his physical limitations. Special teams will provide immediate opportunities to contribute while he adds necessary functional strength. His football IQ and championship experience bring intangible value, but translating those traits into consistent on-field production remains the challenge ahead.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Jordan Hancock percentiles vs other Safetys (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jordan Hancock (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
208.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
45.0
*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.