Kevin Jennings QB SMU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kevin Jennings QB SMU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 10/30/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.60 seconds (90%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 10/30/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.60 seconds (90%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 81.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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78% |
| Short Passing: |
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74% |
| Medium Passing: |
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79% |
| Long Passing: |
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77% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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56% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#224
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 20 College Snaps: 895 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 82/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jake Haener - Fresno State |
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79% |
| Jordan Travis - Florida State |
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70% |
| Jaren Hall - BYU |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kevin Jennings orchestrated South Oak Cliff High School to the 2021 5A Division II State Championship. The Dallas quarterback accumulated 5,932 passing yards with 71 touchdowns through the air and added 557 rushing yards with 8 ground scores during his prep career. A three-star recruit across ESPN, 247 Sports, and Rivals, Jennings fielded offers from Sam Houston, Lamar, and Texas A&M-Commerce before committing to SMU.After redshirting in 2022 with limited action across four games (17-22, 205 yards, 1 TD), Jennings appeared in eight contests during 2023. He started twice, including the AAC Championship victory over Tulane where he generated 266 total yards. His season totals included 618 passing yards with five touchdowns at a 58% completion rate, plus 142 rushing yards and one score. Against Boston College in the bowl game, he attempted a career-high 48 passes.
The 2024 campaign began with Jennings splitting snaps before taking command of the starting role in week four. His signature performance came against Florida State, delivering three touchdowns in a 42-16 victory. Through his first six starts of 2024, he's demonstrated consistent improvement while leading SMU through their inaugural ACC schedule.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Twitched-up athlete who creates explosive plays off-schedule, showing plus escapability and pocket navigation when protection breaks down
- Throws frozen ropes outside the numbers, with torque-heavy mechanics and sudden release producing zip on boundary throws
- Displays natural feel in the pocket, maintaining throwing posture while climbing and sliding to find clean launch points
- Plus arm elasticity on second-reaction plays, capable of generating velocity from multiple platforms when extending plays
- Thread-the-needle accuracy in the 10-19 yard range, particularly lethal on deep crossers and seam routes
- Quick-twitch lateral agility as a scrambler, forces defenders to break down in space and exploits over-pursuit
- Shows anticipatory throw timing on rhythm passes, consistently hits receivers in stride on drive routes and deep overs
- Demonstrates clutch factor in critical situations, elevates execution in high-leverage moments and conference title games
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Severe frame limitations with concerning lack of bulk, leaving major questions about ability to withstand NFL punishment
- Raw processor who needs more live reps, shows hesitation working full-field reads against pattern-match coverage
- Inconsistent ball placement on layup throws, accuracy wavers on basic concepts in the quick game
- Below-threshold height impacts throwing lanes, will struggle to consistently find passing windows between NFL linemen
- Relies on second-reaction ability to create outside structure rather than working through progression sequences
Scouting Report: Summary
The live arm talent and elite production under pressure jump off the tape, particularly his rare ability to defeat the blitz with both his arm and his feet. While showing innate playmaking skills when pressured, the extremely limited starting experience and raw operational framework suggest a longer developmental timeline than his age would indicate.A scheme fit requires heavy play-action and designed movement to maximize his plus velocity and exceptional blitz recognition. The advanced pressure-handling skills provide immediate NFL translatable traits, but the lack of traditional pocket experience and severe size limitations point toward extensive development time.
Return to college is the optimal path, as only eight career starts leaves significant growth needed in full-field reads and pocket operation. The foundation of high-end arm strength and elite blitz diagnosis creates eventual NFL upside, but the developmental timeline and physical constraints profile toward a day three selection with practice squad runway.
How other scouting services rate Kevin Jennings (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
227.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0
*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.