Shamar Easter
Shamar Easter  TE  North Carolina | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Shamar Easter
Height
6-5
Weight
228
College
North Carolina
Position
TE
Class
Freshman
Home town
Ashdown, AR
81.0/100
Player Rating
10
PositionRank (TE)
4.58
FortyYD Time
Receptions
1
Rec YDs
16
Rec TDs
Rec AVG
16

Shamar Easter TE North Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Shamar Easter TE North Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Inline Receiving TE
Last Updated: 06/04/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.58 seconds (91%*)
Age: 20.4 DOB: 01/18/2005
Measurables:
Height: 6-5 (63%*) Weight: 228 (2%*)
Forty: 4.58 (O) (91%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
ROLE: Inline Receiving TE
Last Updated: 06/04/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.58 seconds (91%*)
Age: 20.4 DOB: 01/18/2005
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-5 (63%*) Weight: 228 (2%*)
Forty: 4.58 (O) (91%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 81.0 / 100
Hands:
67%
Short Receiving:
00%
Intermediate Routes:
88%
Deep Threat:
00%
Blocking:
60%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 6th
Overall Rank: #193 Position rank: #10
College Games: 1
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 82/100
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 92 Stars 247 RATING: 92/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Grant Calcaterra - SMU
07%
Tanner McLachlan - Arizona
07%
Leonard Taylor - Cincinnati
06%
Draft Profile: Bio
The state of Arkansas hasn't produced many elite tight end prospects in recent years, but Shamar Easter broke that mold when he burst onto the scene at Ashdown High School. Standing 6'5" and weighing 228 pounds with a December 30th, 2004 birth date, Easter dominated small-town competition while building a reputation as the kind of multi-sport athlete that makes scouts take notice. His basketball background shows in his body control and spatial awareness, while his track experience translates to the kind of long speed that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep.

Easter's recruitment reflected his status as Arkansas's crown jewel in the 2023 class, earning four-star ratings across the board from major recruiting services. Rivals ranked him 157th nationally and seventh among tight ends, while 247Sports placed him at 158th overall and tenth at his position. ESPN was slightly more conservative at 201st nationally but still rated him as the sixth-best tight end prospect. The Razorbacks beat out a who's who of college football programs including Auburn, Florida State, Michigan State, and Tennessee to secure his commitment. His junior season numbers told the story of his dominance - 30 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns while averaging over 17 yards per reception.

After redshirting his freshman season in Fayetteville, Easter made his collegiate debut in Arkansas's 2024 opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, hauling in a 16-yard reception during a crucial fourth-quarter scoring drive. His limited usage throughout the season culminated in Arkansas coaches experimenting with moving him from tight end to wide receiver during Liberty Bowl preparations, signaling their belief that his skill set might be better utilized in space rather than attached to the formation. This position change experiment, combined with limited opportunities, led to his entry into the transfer portal. Easter found a new home at North Carolina, where he'll have three years of eligibility remaining and the chance to showcase his talents in an offense that has historically maximized tight end production under head coach Mack Brown.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Blazing forty time creates vertical separation and forces safeties to respect his deep speed
  • Exceptional catch radius allows him to snag passes outside his frame and make contested grabs in traffic
  • Route-running precision in the intermediate zones shows advanced footwork and understanding of leverage concepts
  • Multi-alignment versatility gives offensive coordinators flexibility to deploy him anywhere from the backfield to the boundary
  • Natural ball-tracking ability combined with soft hands makes him a reliable target in crucial situations
  • Second-level speed creates explosive play potential once he clears the initial coverage defender
  • Basketball background translates to excellent body positioning and box-out techniques in contested catch scenarios
  • High football intelligence evident in his route adjustments and ability to find soft spots in zone coverage
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lightweight frame struggles against physical press coverage and needs significant bulk to handle NFL-caliber edge rushers
  • Limited college production makes it difficult to project consistency at the next level against elite competition
  • Blocking technique remains underdeveloped with poor hand placement and inconsistent pad level in run support
  • Relies too heavily on athleticism rather than technical soundness when engaged with physical defenders
  • Pass protection experience is minimal, which could limit his three-down potential early in his career
  • Position uncertainty after Arkansas moved him to wide receiver raises questions about his true NFL fit
Scouting Report: Summary
Easter represents the modern tight end prototype that NFL offenses are increasingly seeking - a dynamic pass-catcher who can create mismatches all over the formation. His combination of size, speed, and receiving ability gives him the tools to develop into a weapon in the right system, whether deployed as a traditional tight end or moved to wide receiver as Arkansas attempted late in his tenure there. The experimentation with his position usage actually strengthens his NFL case, as it demonstrates his pure receiving ability transcends positional boundaries. Teams that prioritize versatile pass-catchers and creative offensive concepts will find plenty to love about his adaptability. The challenge lies in maximizing his potential while he continues developing the complete tight end package.

The physical development aspect cannot be overlooked in Easter's evaluation. His current 228-pound frame needs additional muscle mass to handle the rigors of NFL blocking assignments, but his athletic foundation provides an excellent starting point. Smart teams will view him as a moldable asset rather than a finished product, someone who can contribute immediately in passing situations while developing into a more complete player over time. His basketball background suggests he understands spacing and leverage concepts that translate well to route-running and blocking assignments.

Easter's ceiling projects as a true difference-maker who can line up anywhere and create headaches for opposing defenses. His floor depends entirely on his commitment to developing the technical aspects of his game, particularly in the blocking department. The position switch experiment at Arkansas adds another layer to his evaluation - it suggests coaches saw him more as a pure pass-catcher than a complete tight end, which could either limit or expand his NFL role depending on how teams view positional flexibility. The smart money says he lands somewhere in the middle - a solid receiving threat who becomes a reliable target in the intermediate passing game while finding his optimal position fit at the next level. His transfer to North Carolina should provide the platform he needs to showcase his abilities against ACC competition and prove whether he's destined to be a traditional tight end, a move piece, or something entirely different in the modern NFL.

How other scouting services rate Shamar Easter (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
177.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
16.0
*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.