Ben Sauls PK Pittsburgh | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Ben Sauls PK Pittsburgh
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Last Updated: 01/29/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.90 seconds (68%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Last Updated: 01/29/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.90 seconds (68%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.9 / 100 | |
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| Focus: |
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87% |
| Accuracy: |
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94% |
| Leg Power: |
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65% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#149
Position rank:
#3
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| College Games: 41 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 75/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.3 (87%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
The story of Ben Sauls is one of steady evolution from multi-sport athlete to elite collegiate specialist. A standout soccer player who led Tippecanoe High School to its first state championship, Sauls brought that same clutch mentality to the gridiron, setting school records with a booming 55-yard field goal and 43.5-yard punting average. Despite modest recruiting rankings as a two-star prospect, Sauls' leg talent was evident early, earning him a shot at Pitt where he would eventually rewrite the record books.After cutting his teeth as a kickoff specialist in 2021, Sauls exploded onto the scene in 2022 with a heroic Sun Bowl performance, drilling five field goals including a game-winning 47-yarder in brutal wind conditions. That clutch showing proved to be a harbinger of things to come, as Sauls would go on to establish himself as one of college football's premier kickers. His 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, connecting on 21-of-24 field goals including six from beyond 50 yards - a Pitt single-season record.
The Ohio native saved his best for last, matching the longest field goal in Panthers history with a 58-yard bomb against California that proved to be the difference in a nail-biting victory. Sauls finished his collegiate career with remarkable efficiency, drilling his final 15 consecutive attempts and establishing himself as the third-leading scorer in Pitt history with 278 points.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite accuracy from long range, demonstrated by a perfect 6-for-7 mark beyond 50 yards in 2024 including multiple 57+ yard bombs in high-pressure situations
- Thrives in adverse conditions, showing remarkable composure kicking in Acrisure Stadium's notorious wind tunnel and Pittsburgh's unpredictable weather
- Exceptional trajectory control on field goals, generating ideal ball rotation that cuts through crosswinds and maintains accuracy on longer attempts
- Battle-tested mental toughness, evidenced by his Sun Bowl heroics and multiple game-winning kicks in one-score conference matchups
- Clean, repeatable mechanics featuring minimal wasted motion and consistent plant foot placement that enables reliable ball-striking
- Above-average athleticism for the position with descent speed providing emergency tackling ability on kickoff coverage when needed
- Strong kickoff resume with consistent hang time and placement, maintaining a 71% touchback rate despite kicking in challenging conditions
- Proven durability and reliability, handling all kicking duties for three straight seasons without missing time due to injury
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Slightly undersized frame at 5'10" and 185 pounds could raise concerns about leg fatigue over a full NFL season
- Experienced minor accuracy inconsistencies on intermediate kicks between 40-49 yards compared to his elite success rate from 50+
- Limited experience with high-pressure onside kick attempts, having rarely been in situations requiring this skill in college
- Below-average holder experience, potentially limiting emergency specialist versatility at the next level
- Occasional tendency to rush mechanics when under extreme pressure, leading to slightly pulled attempts to the left
Scouting Report: Summary
Sauls profiles as an NFL-ready kicker who should compete for a starting role immediately while offering considerable long-term upside. His remarkable success rate from distance and proven ability to thrive in adverse conditions make him particularly appealing to cold-weather teams seeking reliability in the kicking game. The Pittsburgh product brings an intriguing blend of soccer-style finesse and legitimate power, with the technical foundation to contribute from day one.The most encouraging aspect of Sauls' game is his mental toughness in crucial moments, exemplified by multiple game-winning kicks and clutch performances in bowl games. His experience kicking in the ACC's most challenging venue provides valuable experience that should translate well to NFL environments, though consistency on intermediate kicks (40-49 yards) remains an area for continued refinement. His ability to maintain accuracy while generating elite power on longer attempts sets him apart from many prospects.
While his smaller frame bears monitoring, Sauls' clean mechanics and proven collegiate track record suggest he's ready for the NFL challenge. His impressive range and clutch performance history make him worth a day three investment for teams seeking an immediate contributor at the position. He has the potential to become a reliable long-term solution in the kicking game.
How other scouting services rate Ben Sauls (Overall Rank)
*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.