Qua Russaw LB/EDGE Ohio State |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #4 PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.68 seconds (59%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 06/12/2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #4 | |
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.68 seconds (59%*) | |
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 06/12/2005 | |
| Overall Rating: |
75.0 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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77% |
| Pass Rush: |
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77% |
| Run Defense: |
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77% |
| Coverage: |
|
77% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#403
Position rank:
#38 (LB)
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| College Games: 29 College Snaps: 850 | ||
ESPN RATING: 91/100
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Collin Oliver - Oklahoma State |
|
99% |
| Marvin Jones Jr. - Oklahoma |
|
94% |
| Andre Jones - Louisiana |
|
92% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Qua Russaw was the top recruit in Alabama in the 2023 class, a five-star edge from Carver High School in Montgomery. He chose Alabama and enrolled in the 2023 class.Russaw did not play as a freshman, then made his mark in 2024 as a hybrid Wolf linebacker, playing in all 13 games with 36 tackles, a sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He started three of nine games in 2025, but a broken foot in the fourth game cost him seven weeks.
Russaw moved to Ohio State through the portal in January 2026, reportedly with two seasons of eligibility remaining. He missed the opener with a minor health setback and debuted at Texas on 12 September. His best game came at Iowa on 3 October, when he made five tackles with a sack in 30 snaps, and he added three tackles against Maryland a week later.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Stout edge setter against the run, with 11 stops in seven games
- Had a sack and three stops at Iowa in just 30 snaps
- Two interceptions for Alabama in 2024 show his coverage ability
- Versatile hybrid who has played standing up and with his hand down
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pass rush has been limited, with nine pressures this season
- Broke his foot in 2025 and missed seven weeks
- Missed the 2026 opener with a minor health issue
- Rotational role, topping out at 47 snaps in a game
- Eligibility remained for two seasons at transfer, so 2027 is open
Scouting Report: Summary
Russaw has carved out a role as a physical edge setter for Ohio State. He holds up well against the run, plays with good leverage and showed his playmaking at Iowa, where he recorded a sack in 30 snaps. His 2024 tape at Alabama also shows he can drop into coverage.However, the pass rush that made him a five-star recruit has not shown up consistently, with nine pressures this season. Injuries have also been a theme, from the broken foot in 2025 to the health setback that cost him the 2026 opener.
Overall, Russaw is a solid run defender whose upside is still tied to his recruiting profile. He projects as a priority free agent, though another season could help him rebuild his stock.
How other scouting services rate Qua Russaw (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
298.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
36.0
*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.