Nov 29, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) tries to escape the rush of Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) during overtime at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Haynes King QB Georgia Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Haynes King QB Georgia Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/30/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (98%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 05/30/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (98%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 78.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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94% |
| Short Passing: |
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76% |
| Medium Passing: |
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83% |
| Long Passing: |
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92% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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79% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#273
Position rank:
#22
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1951 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#8
Pos Rank:
#3
State Rank:
#7
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 95/100
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| Ovr Rank: #110 Pos Rank: #7 | ||
RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Max Duggan - TCU |
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80% |
| Riley Leonard - Notre Dame |
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72% |
| Brady Cook - Missouri |
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68% |
Draft Profile: Bio
After struggling to find his footing in College Station, Haynes King, the Longview, Texas native, discovered his calling in Atlanta, where he's carved out a legacy as one of the ACC's most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks. King's 2023 breakout campaign put him in rarified air - joining LSU's Jayden Daniels as the only Power Five signal-caller to eclipse 2,800 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, 700 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns. That production earned him honorable mention All-ACC honors and the unwavering respect of teammates who voted him permanent captain.King's athletic pedigree runs deeper than football, having competed in track and field during his high school days at Longview, where he ran the 400-meter dash, anchored the 4x400 relay, and threw discus. His Under Armour All-American credentials as a prep star translated into a four-star recruiting ranking across all major services, with his dual-sport background foreshadowing the versatility that would eventually make him a college star. The quarterback's journey through College Station included flashes of brilliance - notably a 364-yard passing performance against Sam Houston State in 2022 - but injuries and inconsistency prevented him from seizing the starting role long-term.
His Georgia Tech tenure has been defined by clutch performances and record-breaking production across two seasons. King's game-winning touchdown pass to Christian Leary with one second remaining against No. 17 Miami in 2023 stands as one of the most memorable moments in recent Yellow Jackets history, while his four-touchdown passing display in a comeback victory over No. 17 North Carolina showcased his ability to rise to the occasion against ranked competition. The quarterback's 2023 season rewrote multiple school records, including most touchdowns responsible for in a single season (37) and second-most total offense (3,729 yards).
His 2024 campaign showcased improved efficiency despite battling injuries, throwing for 2,114 yards with an impressive 14-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio while adding 11 rushing touchdowns. King's leadership was on full display during Georgia Tech's stunning 28-23 upset of undefeated No. 4 Miami, where he completed all six pass attempts and rushed for 93 yards in his return from a shoulder injury, helping the Yellow Jackets claim their first victory over a top-five opponent since 2009.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Electric runner with legitimate sub-4.5 speed who can turn broken plays into explosive gains and stress defensive coordinators with designed runs.
- Possesses a rocket launcher for an arm, consistently delivering frozen ropes on deep throws with impressive velocity and outstanding ball placement.
- Quick-twitch athlete who gets the football out of his hands in a hurry, showing rapid processing and trigger finger in rhythm passing situations.
- Throws absolute dimes on the move, displaying rare accuracy while rolling out or scrambling with defenders breathing down his neck.
- Natural-born leader who commands the huddle and locker room, earning captain status from teammates who would run through walls for him.
- Clutch gene runs through his veins, engineering multiple game-winning drives against ranked opponents when the lights shine brightest and pressure mounts.
- Extends plays with his escapability and pocket awareness, buying time for receivers to break open while keeping his eyes downfield like a seasoned veteran.
- Shows impressive arm talent from multiple release points and platforms, able to sidearm bullets through tight windows or throw off his back foot under pressure.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lean build raises red flags about durability, as his 215-pound frame may struggle to absorb punishment from NFL pass rushers week after week.
- Accuracy becomes spotty on short and intermediate throws, missing too many gimme completions that should be automatic for NFL-caliber quarterbacks.
- Gunslinger mentality leads to questionable decisions, forcing throws into tight coverage when checkdowns or throwaways would be the smarter play.
- Still learning to read complex defensive schemes, occasionally getting fooled by disguised coverages and late rotations that NFL defenses excel at executing.
- Mechanics break down under pressure, leading to off-balance throws and errant passes when pocket collapses or defenders close in on him.
Scouting Report: Summary
King's elite speed and deep-ball prowess make him a tantalizing prospect who can stress defenses vertically and horizontally, yet his inconsistent accuracy on shorter throws creates legitimate questions about his ability to operate within the structured timing of NFL passing concepts. The same gunslinger mentality that produces spectacular highlight-reel throws also leads to costly turnovers when he forces balls into coverage rather than taking what defenses give him. His quick release allows him to get the ball out before pass rushers arrive, but his mechanics crumble under pressure, creating accuracy issues that plague his intermediate passing game.The durability concerns surrounding his lean frame cannot be ignored when evaluating his long-term viability as a starter, especially considering how often he'll be asked to run in goal-line and short-yardage situations where contact is inevitable. However, his natural leadership and clutch-gene performances against ranked opponents demonstrate the intangible qualities that separate good quarterbacks from great ones. King's ability to extend plays with his legs keeps drives alive and creates big-play opportunities, though his tendency to abandon sound fundamentals when scrambling leads to errant throws and missed opportunities.
The path forward for King requires an organization willing to invest heavily in his development while managing expectations about his immediate impact. His rare combination of arm talent and athleticism provides a foundation that coaching staffs can build upon, but the refinement process will test both his work ethic and an organization's patience. King's ceiling remains sky-high if he can harness his physical gifts within a structured system, yet his floor includes the possibility of remaining a gadget player whose inconsistencies prevent him from becoming a reliable starter.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Haynes King percentiles vs other Quarterbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Haynes King (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
507.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
39.0
*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.