Zy Alexander CB LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Zy Alexander CB LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (48%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (48%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 49.9 | |
| Tackling: |
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96% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
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88% |
| Zone: |
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81% |
| Man/Press: |
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89% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#128
Position rank:
#28
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| College Games: 47 College Snaps: 2330 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Martin Emerson - Mississippi State |
|
90% |
| Mekhi Garner - LSU |
|
86% |
| Tyson Campbell - Georgia |
|
86% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Zy Alexander, a cornerback from LSU, has made significant strides in his collegiate career. Originally from Loreauville, Louisiana, Alexander started as a multi-position player in high school, excelling as a quarterback, wide receiver, and free safety. He also contributed to his school's Class 2A state baseball title as a sophomore, showcasing his athletic versatility.Alexander's college journey began at Southeastern Louisiana, where he quickly established himself as a defensive standout. In his freshman year, he earned FCS All-America and first-team All-Southland Conference honors, tying for the third-highest interception total in school history with 6 picks. His sophomore season saw him maintain his First-Team All-Southland Conference status, contributing significantly to the Lions' success in reaching the second round of the FCS Playoffs in consecutive years.
Transferring to LSU for his junior year, Alexander seamlessly transitioned to the FBS level. He started the first 8 games of the 2023 season at cornerback before a season-ending injury cut his campaign short. Despite the setback, Alexander had already established himself as LSU's top cover corner, recording 44 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions in his limited time on the field.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Ball hawk with plus instincts in the secondary, consistently finds himself around the ball.
- Scheme versatile corner capable of playing in press-man or off coverage, demonstrating fluid hip turn and backpedal in both man and zone looks.
- Plus length for the position with a frame to add functional mass, giving him the potential to match up with bigger X receivers at the next level.
- Reliable tackler who excels in run support, showing willingness to stick his nose in and make plays near the line of scrimmage.
- Smooth mover in space with good change of direction skills, allowing him to mirror receivers' routes effectively in man coverage situations.
- High football IQ evident in his quick adaptation from FCS to Power 5 competition, suggesting a steep learning curve for NFL concepts.
- Competitive toughness shows up on tape, consistently battling through the whistle and playing with a chip on his shoulder.
- Special teams upside due to his tackling prowess and experience playing in space, offering immediate value while developing cornerback skills.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Medical red flags after season-ending injury at LSU, raising questions about long-term durability and ability to withstand the NFL grind.
- Lacks elite top-end speed, potentially limiting his ability to recover if beaten off the line by burners at the next level.
- Limited sample size against top-tier competition may lead to a steeper learning curve when facing NFL-caliber receivers week in and week out.
- Zone awareness needs refinement, occasionally losing track of receivers in his area when reading quarterback's eyes.
- Lean frame for his height could lead to struggles when jamming more physical receivers at the line or competing for 50/50 balls downfield.
Scouting Report: Summary
Alexander currently profiles as a developmental cornerback with the potential to contribute in various defensive schemes. His size and ball-hawking ability make him an intriguing prospect for teams employing press-man or zone coverage systems. While his transition from FCS to SEC play was promising, the limited sample size at the highest collegiate level may give some teams pause.His tackling ability and run support skills suggest he could find early playing time in sub-packages or as a special teams contributor while he refines his coverage techniques. The injury history will be a point of scrutiny for NFL medical staff, but if cleared, Alexander has the tools to develop into a solid rotational cornerback with starting potential.
Teams will need to weigh Alexander's impressive production at the FCS level against his brief but promising FBS career. His ability to overcome the learning curve and speed of the game at each level of competition bodes well for his NFL prospects, but he may require time to adjust to the professional game's demands.
Written By:
Bill Miller (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Zy Alexander (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
106.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
30.0
*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.