Mac McWilliams CB UCF | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Mac McWilliams CB UCF
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/31/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (40%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 01/31/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (40%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 82.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 85.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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62% |
| Run Defense: |
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69% |
| Coverage: |
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75% |
| Zone: |
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71% |
| Man/Press: |
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74% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#201
Position rank:
#37
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 2021 | ||
247 RATING: 78/100
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Draft Profile: Bio
The McWilliams football legacy runs deep in Pensacola, where Mac emerged as a defensive playmaker at Pine Forest High School alongside his older brother Adarius. His senior campaign was a testament to his nose for the ball, notching eight interceptions with five pick-sixes while moonlighting as an electric return specialist. Despite his game-changing abilities, the two-star recruit didn't generate much Power 5 interest, leading him to UAB where he'd eventually join forces with his brother as team co-captains.After getting his feet wet in four games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, McWilliams earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors in 2021, starting six games and showing early flashes of his disruptive potential. His sophomore season proved to be his coming-out party – before an injury cut his campaign short, he was second in Conference USA in passes defended and anchoring the nation's second-ranked pass defense. The setback only fueled his fire, as he returned to captain the defense in 2023, starting all 12 games while adding special teams value as the primary punt returner.
His journey led him to transfer to UCF for his final season, where he continued to build his draft stock through consistent play and leadership in the secondary. The Senior Bowl invite served as validation for his steady climb from under-recruited high school prospect to legitimate NFL prospect.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional processor in zone coverage who maintains disciplined leverage while showing natural feel for splitting multiple threats in his area
- Quick-twitch athlete in tight spaces who can match receivers' direction changes without losing ground or balance in his pedal
- Plays like his hair's on fire coming downhill, showing zero hesitation to shoot gaps and blow up screens or quick game concepts
- Advanced understanding of route distributions allows him to bait quarterbacks into throws he can drive on with explosive closing burst
- Brings the funk as a tackler despite his size, consistently wrapping and driving through contact rather than diving at ankles
- Shows some serious juice transitioning from backpedal to drive, covering ground in a hurry when breaking on underneath routes
- Natural ball skills translate from his punt return background, displaying strong hands and coordination to high-point passes
- Uses crafty hand fighting to disrupt timing at the stem of routes without drawing flags, especially effective in the slot
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited physical tools with below-average height, length, and long speed that show up when trying to match up with outside receivers vertically
- Can get bullied at the catch point by bigger targets who box him out, lacking the play strength to consistently contest through contact
- Shows some hesitation pulling the trigger in man coverage, especially against complex route combinations that test his pattern reading
- Occasionally gets caught flat-footed against speed releases, leading to early separation before his recovery quickness can kick in
- Tackling technique can get sloppy when attempting to corral bigger backs in space, leading to missed opportunities to limit yards after contact
Scouting Report: Summary
McWilliams fits best as a slot corner in a zone-heavy scheme where his processing speed and quick-trigger athleticism can shine. His combination of football IQ and short-area explosiveness allows him to excel in underneath zones while providing reliable run support. Though his athletic limitations will likely keep him from matching up consistently with outside receivers at the next level, his competitiveness and special teams experience give him immediate value as a backup nickel with starter upside in the right system.His Senior Bowl performance highlighted his strengths - particularly his ability to anticipate and drive on routes with conviction. Teams running Cover 2 or quarters-based schemes will value his discipline in zone coverage and willingness to get his hands dirty in run support. While his ceiling may be capped by his physical limitations, McWilliams has the tools to carve out a role as a reliable nickel defender who won't back down from a challenge.
Look for McWilliams to come off the board on Day 3, where his competitive toughness and scheme-specific skill set will appeal to teams needing corner depth and special teams contributors. His game reminds me of a poor man's Kenny Moore - another undersized but instinctive corner who maximizes his abilities through football IQ and technique.
How other scouting services rate Mac McWilliams (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
263.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
67.0
*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.