De'Zhaun Stribling WR Ole Miss | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
De'Zhaun Stribling WR Ole Miss
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 05/31/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.52 seconds (44%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
Last Updated: 05/31/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.52 seconds (44%*) | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 81.0 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 92.2 | |
Hands: |
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82% |
Short Receiving: |
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80% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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87% |
Deep Threat: |
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82% |
Blocking: |
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77% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#194
Position rank:
#23
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College Games: 41 College Snaps: 2243 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Brenden Rice - USC |
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87% |
Pat Bryant - Illinois |
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84% |
Romeo Doubs - Nevada |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
De'Zhaun Stribling began his collegiate career at Washington State in 2021, where he immediately made an impact as a true freshman with 44 catches for 471 yards and five touchdowns. His sophomore campaign saw continued growth with 51 receptions for 602 yards and five scores, establishing himself as the Cougars' primary receiving threat and earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition as a freshman.A transfer to Oklahoma State in 2023 initially derailed when a hand injury limited him to just four games, but Stribling's resilience shone through in 2024. He bounced back with his most productive season to date, hauling in 52 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns while averaging a career-high 17.0 yards per reception. His breakout performance came against Tulsa, where he torched the defense for seven catches and 174 yards with two touchdowns, showcasing both his jump-ball ability on a goal-line fade and his deep speed on a 63-yard scoring strike after beating coverage with a double move.
Following another transfer portal entry in December 2024, Stribling committed to Ole Miss, drawn by Lane Kiffin's explosive offensive system and the program's track record of developing NFL-caliber receivers. At 23 years old (born February 15, 2002), he arrives in Oxford with 41 career games under his belt and over 2,200 offensive snaps, bringing both production and experience to a receiving corps that lost significant talent from the previous season. His high school credentials as a three-star recruit who caught 64 passes for 872 yards as a senior, plus his selection to the Polynesian Bowl, hint at the raw ability that has continued to develop throughout his college career.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Demonstrates exceptional ball skills in contested situations, making acrobatic catches and winning jump balls despite modest frame for position
- Routes are crisp and decisive, particularly excelling on crossing patterns and double moves that create separation from defensive backs
- Run blocking stands out as elite trait, driving defenders backward with initial contact and showing rare willingness to engage safeties
- Reliable hands in traffic with minimal drops, catching 82% of targets while operating primarily in intermediate and deep routes
- Football I.Q. shines through route adjustments and understanding of defensive concepts, making himself available in scramble situations
- Physical toughness evident in his ability to bounce back from injuries and continue performing at high level after setbacks
- Versatility to align anywhere across formation, comfortable working from slot or outside depending on offensive scheme requirements
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Build lacks the bulk to consistently win against press coverage from bigger, more physical cornerbacks at next level
- Injury history raises durability concerns, having missed significant time due to hand/wrist issues that required medical attention
- Adequate but not exceptional straight-line speed compared to elite NFL receiver prospects
- Limited experience as primary option in high-level offense, having spent most career as complementary piece rather than focal point
- Age profile works against him as 23-year-old senior with multiple transfers may concern teams about character and commitment
Scouting Report: Summary
Stribling's tape tells the story of a receiver who maximizes every ounce of his ability through precise route-running and an innate understanding of how to create separation. His performance against Kansas State perfectly encapsulates his skill set - the 77-yard touchdown came on a perfectly executed crossing route where he sold the initial move, waited for the safety to bite on play-action, then exploded past the secondary with surprising acceleration. This isn't a receiver who wins with raw athleticism; he wins with craft and timing, though that same approach may limit his upside against more athletic NFL defensive backs.The challenge facing Stribling lies in translating his college success to a league where his physical limitations become more pronounced. While his run-blocking prowess and reliable hands create immediate value, questions about his ability to separate consistently against press coverage and his injury history temper expectations. The multiple transfers and late-blooming nature of his development suggest both resilience and potential red flags that teams will need to weigh carefully. His route-running precision in intermediate zones stands out on tape, yet his modest testing numbers indicate he may struggle to create the explosive plays that define NFL receiving corps.
The path forward for Stribling involves finding the right offensive system that emphasizes his strengths while minimizing exposure to his weaknesses. His blocking ability alone makes him valuable in run-heavy schemes, and his sure hands provide a security blanket for young quarterbacks. However, the same measured approach that served him well in college - winning through technique rather than athleticism - may prove insufficient when facing cornerbacks who possess both skill and superior physical tools. Organizations seeking a complementary receiver who understands his role and executes assignments cleanly will find value, but those hoping for a game-changing weapon may look elsewhere.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
How other scouting services rate De'Zhaun Stribling (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
328.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
49.0
*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.