Marquise Lightfoot DL/EDGE Miami |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #8 SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.58 seconds (96%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #8 | |
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.58 seconds (96%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
79.9 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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53% |
| Pass Rush: |
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87% |
| Run Defense: |
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76% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#237
Position rank:
#42 (DL)
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| College Games: 25 College Snaps: 606 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
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247 RATING: 97/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fadil Diggs - Syracuse |
|
85% |
| Jah Joyner - Minnesota |
|
80% |
| Grayson Murphy - UCLA |
|
70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Marquise Lightfoot made 122 tackles and nine sacks as a junior at Kenwood Academy in Chicago, earning Illinois 6A all-state honors, and played in the 2024 All-American Bowl. He chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Notre Dame.He played mostly on special teams as a freshman in 2024, then played in 16 games with one start in 2025, making 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks while working behind Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor.
Lightfoot took over a starting role as a junior in 2026. He had two sacks and a forced fumble in the 52-3 win over Central Michigan on 26 September and left the Clemson game in the first half with an undisclosed injury, but returned to post multiple sacks and another forced fumble in the 38-35 win at North Carolina on 31 October. He also has two pass breakups this season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare get-off and bend, with a sack in five of his eight games
- Strip-sacks against Central Michigan and North Carolina show he hunts the ball
- Seven pressures in each of the games at Wake Forest and North Carolina
- Developed quickly once handed a starting role this season
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Extremely light for an edge, and run blocks can engulf him at the point
- Missed seven tackles this season, often overrunning ball carriers
- Run defense lags well behind his rush, with tackles able to move him off the edge
- Left the Clemson game in the first half with an undisclosed injury
- As a junior he may return to Miami for 2027
Scouting Report: Summary
Lightfoot is an explosive, bendy pass rusher who has made good on his first chance to start. His get-off is rare, he flattens to the quarterback quickly, and he takes the ball when he gets there, as the strip-sacks against Central Michigan and North Carolina showed.However, his frame is very light for the position, and run blocks can swallow him. Seven missed tackles are a concern, and he left the Clemson game early with an undisclosed injury. He also has just one season as a starter.
Overall, Lightfoot has the speed and bend that pass-rush coaches covet, but he needs to add a lot of strength. He projects as a priority free agent rush specialist if he declares, with more upside if he spends another year at Miami.
How other scouting services rate Marquise Lightfoot (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
198.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
34.0
*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.