Kingston Lopa S California |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #2 ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.65 seconds (21%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #2 | |
| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.65 seconds (21%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.7 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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71% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 56.9 | |
| Tackling: |
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65% |
| Run Defense: |
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60% |
| Coverage: |
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90% |
| Zone: |
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90% |
| Man/Press: |
|
89% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#85
Position rank:
#15 (DB)
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| College Games: 24 College Snaps: 609 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| JL Skinner - Boise State |
|
65% |
| Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - Toledo |
|
64% |
| Genesis Smith - Arizona |
|
60% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kingston Lopa played receiver and defensive back at Grant Union High School in Sacramento, catching 47 passes for 973 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior on a team that won the Division 3-AA state title. As a senior he was a first-team Cal-Hi Sports All-State pick, making 72 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions while catching 41 passes for 727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a four-star recruit and chose Oregon, where he spent two seasons.Lopa redshirted in 2024 as Oregon won the Big Ten title, then played a reserve role in 2025, making 12 tackles and a sack. An undisclosed injury kept him out of Oregon's playoff quarterfinal against Texas Tech. He transferred to Cal in January 2026, following Tosh Lupoi, Oregon's former defensive coordinator and Cal's new head coach, back to Northern California.
Lopa has been one of the breakout defenders in the country. He intercepted three passes in the 21-18 win at Syracuse, returning one 53 yards to set up a touchdown, taking another 24 yards for the go-ahead score and sealing the game with the third in the final minute. He suffered a concussion on the opening snap at UNLV, and he has five interceptions, three pass breakups and more than 40 tackles in eight games for a 3-5 team.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Five interceptions in eight games in his first season as a starter
- Three interceptions, including a pick-six, in the win at Syracuse
- Long frame that shrinks throwing windows and contests passes
- Former receiver who tracks and high-points the ball
- Comfortable matching tight ends and big slot receivers in man coverage
- Reads the quarterback's eyes and drives on throws from depth
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Below-average timed speed raises questions about his range as a deep safety
- Missed eight tackles in eight games this season
- Only one season of starting experience after a reserve role at Oregon
- Concussion on the opening snap at UNLV in October
Scouting Report: Summary
Lopa has gone from a reserve at Oregon to one of the most productive defensive backs in the country in his first season at Cal. He has five interceptions in eight games, including three in the 21-18 win at Syracuse, where he set up one touchdown, scored another and sealed the game in the final minute. A former high school receiver, he tracks the ball well, high-points it and plays with the hands of a pass catcher. He also has three pass breakups and more than 40 tackles.His length is a real asset. He shrinks throwing windows, contests passes others cannot reach and can match tight ends and bigger slot receivers in man coverage. He reads the quarterback's eyes and drives on throws from depth, and he has allowed 10 catches on 17 targets this season. His move to Cal reunited him with Tosh Lupoi, who coached him at Oregon, and the fit has been clear.
However, there are real questions. His timed speed is below average, so his range as a single-high defender is uncertain, and he has missed eight tackles in eight games. He has only one season of starting experience after playing a small role at Oregon, and he suffered a concussion on the opening snap at UNLV in October. Cal is 3-5, and teams will want to see his ball production continue over the final month.
Overall, Lopa's length, ball skills and instincts give him a clear role as a big safety who can cover tight ends. He projects as a third-round safety with the ceiling of a starting box or two-high safety and the floor of a sub-package coverage player, and as a redshirt sophomore he could also return to school. His high school production as a receiver, with 33 touchdown catches over two seasons, explains his feel for the ball.
How other scouting services rate Kingston Lopa (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
64.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*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.