Matayo Uiagalelei DE/EDGE Oregon | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Matayo Uiagalelei DE/EDGE Oregon
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/08/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.85 seconds (43%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.10 DOB: 07/02/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 05/08/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.85 seconds (43%*) | |
| Age: 20.10 DOB: 07/02/2004 | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 87.3 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
|
66% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
79% |
| Run Defense: |
|
70% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Late
Overall Rank:
#27
Position rank:
#7
|
||
| College Games: 27 College Snaps: 930 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 97/100
|
||
RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Jones II - Pittsburgh |
|
90% |
| Mykel Williams - Georgia |
|
86% |
| Cameron Thomas - San Diego State |
|
83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Matayo Uiagalelei arrived at Oregon with royal football bloodlines, the younger brother of former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. But make no mistake – the younger Uiagalelei has carved his own path to stardom. A five-star recruit out of powerhouse St. John Bosco in California, Matayo flashed two-way potential in high school, doubling as a tight end with soft hands and natural ball skills. This athletic versatility translated immediately at Oregon, where he made an impact as a true freshman before erupting in 2024 with a dominant sophomore campaign that put him firmly on the NFL radar.The California native's trajectory has been steadily ascending since his arrival in Eugene. After playing in 13 games and recording 18 tackles and 2 sacks as a freshman, Uiagalelei exploded onto the national scene in 2024. His 10.5 sacks not only led the Ducks but topped the entire Big Ten during the regular season. His breakout season culminated with first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media and second-team recognition from coaches, along with being named a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. His game-sealing interception against Wisconsin showcased the athletic instincts that make him such a tantalizing prospect.
What makes Uiagalelei's rise so compelling is his continued growth. After recording 38 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked kick as a sophomore, he enters his junior season with legitimate top-30 draft potential. Oregon's coaching staff has challenged him to expand his pass rush arsenal beyond his devastating speed rush, with Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi noting his production is "simply just the reward to the work he's put in." As he approaches his draft-eligible season, the question isn't if Uiagalelei will be drafted, but just how high he might climb up draft boards with another step forward in development.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive first step creates immediate pressure around the edge, consistently beating tackles before they can set their anchor point in pass protection.
- Rare athletic versatility allows him to play both as a stand-up linebacker or with hand in dirt, making him valuable to multiple defensive schemes at next level.
- Shows natural instincts tracking the football, as evidenced by his game-sealing interception against Wisconsin and multiple batted passes at the line.
- Possesses excellent lateral agility that translates to effective backside pursuit against run plays, rarely overcommitting in chase situations.
- Brings a nasty play temperament to the field, displaying the kind of competitive fire that can't be coached but sets tone for entire defensive unit.
- Demonstrates disciplined edge containment against stretch plays and zone reads, forcing ball carriers to cut back into pursuit or stringing plays wide.
- Converted former tight end with exceptional body control and coordination, allowing him to bend around the corner while maintaining balance and power.
- Shows impressive versatility in defensive alignments, lining up at multiple technique spots and performing well across various fronts.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Remains somewhat one-dimensional as a pass rusher, relying heavily on speed and needs to develop more effective counter moves when initial rush stalls.
- Can get engulfed by larger offensive tackles when playing with hand in dirt, occasionally struggling to disengage once bigger blockers lock onto his frame.
- Tackling technique needs refinement, sometimes attempting arm tackles rather than squaring up ball carriers, leading to missed opportunities in backfield.
- Still developing play strength at point of attack against direct double teams, getting washed out of his gap against power run schemes.
- Needs more consistency diagnosing misdirection plays, occasionally losing backside contain responsibilities against play action and bootleg concepts.
Scouting Report: Summary
Uiagalelei brings a blend of raw pass-rush ability and developmental upside to the draft. His journey from rotational freshman to sophomore standout demonstrates a player on the rise, though his game remains unfinished. When rushing the passer, his explosive first step and natural bend jump off the tape, allowing him to threaten tackles before they can set. However, when teams run directly at him, he can still be moved off his spot by double teams and struggles with consistent tackling technique.The contrast in his performance reveals both promise and limitations. While his pass rush grades stand out, his run defense and tackling numbers suggest a specialist rather than a complete defender at this stage. He flashes the tools to play in multiple fronts – standing up or with hand in dirt – but hasn't mastered either role completely. Like a pitcher with a blazing fastball but developing changeup, Uiagalelei needs to build his counter moves and power rush to complement his speed game. His occasional lapses against misdirection will need addressing before he can be trusted as an every-down player.
What makes Uiagalelei worth the investment is his trajectory. Few defensive prospects show his combination of physical tools and documented improvement. His junior campaign will be crucial – teams will watch closely to see if he can become more consistent against the run while maintaining his pass rush production. The foundation is there for him to develop into a valuable defensive piece who can align in multiple spots. For teams willing to be patient with his development against the run while immediately benefiting from his pass rush skills, Uiagalelei offers both immediate impact potential and long-term value that should intrigue defensive coaches across the league.
How other scouting services rate Matayo Uiagalelei (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
24.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*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.