Brent Austin CB California |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #4 ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/22/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #4 | |
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 03/22/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| Forty time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | |
| Overall Rating: | 79.9 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 72.5 | |
| Tackling: |
|
75% |
| Run Defense: |
|
69% |
| Coverage: |
|
89% |
| Zone: |
|
77% |
| Man/Press: |
|
90% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#238
Position rank:
#49 (DB)
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1892 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Christian Braswell - Rutgers |
|
91% |
| Jaylin Simpson - Auburn |
|
86% |
| Jabbar Muhammad - Oregon |
|
84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Brent Austin prepped at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California, earning First Team All-League honors as both a junior and senior. He was also a sprinter on the track team, qualifying for the CIF Division I meet in the 100-meter dash and ranking fourth in the state in the 4x100 relay. Austin was a Dean's List student and helped Cajon win a CIF regional championship in 2019.Austin signed with James Madison under Curt Cignetti, playing in five games as a true freshman in 2022 before seeing action in 11 games as a sophomore in 2023, when he recorded an 81-yard pick-six against UConn. He transferred to USF for the 2024 season and started all 13 games, finishing with 48 tackles, two interceptions, and a team-best 10 pass breakups. He then moved to Cal for his senior year in 2025.
At Cal, Austin started all 13 games and posted 42 tackles, 13 pass breakups (tied for second nationally), two forced fumbles, and a half sack. His signature play came against North Carolina, when he forced a fumble at the goal line on the Tar Heels' final offensive snap to preserve a 21-18 win. He earned Third Team All-ACC honors and was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- His 2025 coverage tape at Cal is some of the best in this class for a zone corner.
- Receivers caught fewer than half the passes thrown his way in both 2024 and 2025.
- Feet are quiet and balanced in his backpedal. Flips his hips and goes without any gear change.
- Track background shows up when he has to carry a nine route. He stays in the hip pocket.
- Against Virginia, he was targeted 11 times and broke up six passes. Kept competing all game.
- The North Carolina forced fumble at the goal line was instinct, not luck. He read the play and attacked.
- Brought his missed tackles down noticeably from USF to Cal. Wraps up better now.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Under 180 pounds at the Shrine Bowl. Bigger receivers move him off his line in press.
- At Virginia Tech he gave up a TD and looked uncomfortable in man all night.
- Zone-to-man split is wide. Put him in press-man and the coverage thins out fast.
- Breaks up passes but does not finish. Only three interceptions across four college seasons.
- Does not want to take on blocks in run support. Gets washed down the line too easily.
- Three programs in four years. The talent kept him starting, but the pattern needs explaining.
Scouting Report: Summary
Austin's coverage work in zone was genuinely strong, and that kind of production in the ACC, where he was targeted consistently and still held receivers to under a 46% catch rate, is worth paying attention to. The jump he made from USF to Cal was significant. He looked more confident reading route concepts, more decisive driving on throws, and more composed when the ball came his way. That kind of year-over-year improvement tells you the ceiling might not be set yet.The question is always going to come back to his body. Under 180 pounds is a hard sell for an NFL corner, and it showed on film when physical receivers got into him at the line or through contact at the top of routes. His man coverage reps are a clear step down from his zone work. At Virginia Tech, you could see him lose his positioning when asked to stay attached in man against a receiver who wanted to use his frame. Press-man reps at the next level will be a problem until the weight comes. He also does not offer much as a run defender, which limits his ability to stay on the field in early downs.
The fit is a zone-heavy defense, Cover 3 or Cover 4, where he can play off the ball and use his eyes and feet rather than his frame. A team that runs pattern-match concepts would get the most out of him. He needs a strength program and patience, but the 2025 coverage tape gives you something to work with that most corners ranked in this range do not have.
Brent Austin percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Brent Austin (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
312.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
82.0
*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.