Jaylen McClain S Ohio State |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #18 ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/28/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.35 seconds (98%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #18 | |
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 09/28/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.35 seconds (98%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.9 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 49.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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96% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
| Coverage: |
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81% |
| Zone: |
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82% |
| Man/Press: |
|
75% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#96
Position rank:
#22 (DB)
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| College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1047 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Craig Woodson - California |
|
83% |
| Cam Taylor-Britt - Nebraska |
|
83% |
| Daxton Hill - Michigan |
|
83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
McClain earned his first starting job at Ohio State in 2025, starting all fourteen games alongside All-American Caleb Downs and playing as one of the surest tacklers in the country.He was a third-team All-Big Ten pick with 53 tackles and the best missed-tackle mark in his group, opening the year with a career-high eight stops against Texas, though the takeaways did not yet come.
With Downs off to the NFL as a top-15 pick, McClain returned in 2026 as one of Ohio State's few returning defensive starters and a vocal leader, positioned for the breakout and the ball production his game still needs.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plus timed speed with the range to cover the deep middle
- Best-in-group tackling, charged with only four misses all year
- Sticky in coverage, rarely beaten for chunk plays
- Recognizes route concepts and drives on throws from depth
- Held up on his coverage snaps against Big Ten receivers
- Won a starting job alongside an All-American safety
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Did not record an interception despite the coverage snaps
- Takeaway production is light despite the heavy coverage snaps
- Coverage reps in man against NFL tight ends are still developing
- Role and sample are still growing into a full-time load
Scouting Report: Summary
McClain is a rangy, fast safety who won a starting job alongside an All-American, pairing sticky coverage with the best tackling mark in this group at only four misses, covering the deep middle with rare speed and driving on throws. However, he did not record an interception despite the coverage snaps, his ball production is light, his man reps against NFL-caliber tight ends are still developing, and the role and sample are growing into a full-time load.Overall, McClain is a fluid mover with functional range who does his best work reading his keys on the move and closing space downhill, though the tape produces few takeaways. He projects as a developmental free safety with starter upside, with the ceiling of a rangy centerfielder if the ball production grows and the floor of a sure-tackling reserve and special-teamer.
How other scouting services rate Jaylen McClain (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
64.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
16.0
*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.