Xavier Gilliam DL Tennessee |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #2 SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 10/14/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.90 seconds (61%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #2 | |
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 10/14/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.90 seconds (61%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
86.1 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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53% |
| Pass Rush: |
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85% |
| Run Defense: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#65
Position rank:
#13 (DL)
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| College Games: 26 College Snaps: 801 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jer'Zhan Newton - Illinois |
|
89% |
| Vernon Broughton - Texas |
|
85% |
| Kris Jenkins - Michigan |
|
76% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Xavier Gilliam was a four-star prospect according to ESPN at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he made 42 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks as a senior for an 11-1 team. His father, Cecil, played football at Morgan State, and Gilliam also starred in baseball and basketball.Gilliam began his career at Penn State, playing in five games in 2024, including the Fiesta Bowl playoff win over Boise State, to preserve a redshirt. He played in all 13 games in 2025, making 15 tackles and a forced fumble, blocking a field goal that was returned for a touchdown at Iowa and starting the Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson.
He followed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Tennessee and has broken out as a disruptive interior force. Gilliam opened the year with six tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble against Furman, the first Volunteer with three sacks in a game since 2018. He added two tackles for loss and a sack in the 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas, and his 8.5 tackles for loss lead the team.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive get-off from a compact build; shoots A and B gaps before guards can set
- Plays strong at the point and holds ground against double teams on early downs
- Pass rush is his better half; lived in Arkansas' backfield and batted a pass
- Wrecked Furman's backfield with five tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble
- Stood up to Texas' interior with two tackles for loss and a sack
- Can kick out over the tackle on passing downs, adding alignment flexibility
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Shorter at 6-foot-2; longer guards can lock him out when his first step is late
- Tackling is inconsistent; missed two at Georgia Tech and another against Texas
- Run defense was spotty at Penn State in 2025, with a rough outing against Northwestern
- Thin resume, with two career starts and a part-time role before this season
Scouting Report: Summary
Gilliam was a little-used reserve at Penn State a year ago, and now he sits among the most disruptive interior linemen in the SEC. His first step is the foundation of his game: he fires off the ball low and fast, gets into A and B gaps before guards can set their feet, and finishes in the backfield, which is why he leads Tennessee with 8.5 tackles for loss. He announced himself with three sacks and five tackles for loss against Furman, but the more telling performance came against No. 1 Texas, when he made two tackles for loss and a sack against one of the best lines he will see. He followed it by living in Arkansas' backfield in one of the best interior performances in the country that week, and scouts are already talking about him as a possible first-rounder. He is also stronger at the point of attack than his size suggests, and he has held up well against double teams on early downs.However, he has started for only one season, and his tape at Penn State was uneven, especially against the run. At 6-foot-2 he is shorter than most NFL three-techniques, and when his first step is late, longer guards can lock him out and control the rep. His tackling also needs to be cleaner, as he missed two at Georgia Tech and another against Texas, and November will show whether this production is sustainable.
Overall, Gilliam has the quickness and power to be an impact interior rusher, and the buzz around him is growing every week. On current evidence he projects as a third-round interior lineman, and his get-off gives him a real chance to climb well beyond that, and a strong finish could push him much higher if he chooses to leave early.
How other scouting services rate Xavier Gilliam (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
45.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
8.0
*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.