Lander Barton LB Utah | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Lander Barton LB Utah
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 08/28/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (88%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.8 DOB: 12/30/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 08/28/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (88%*) | |
| Age: 20.8 DOB: 12/30/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 86.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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65% |
| Pass Rush: |
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66% |
| Run Defense: |
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69% |
| Coverage: |
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83% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#56
Position rank:
#4
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| College Games: 21 College Snaps: 827 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 97/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Drew Sanders - Arkansas |
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83% |
| Brandon Smith - Penn State |
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79% |
| Pete Werner - Ohio State |
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77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born into a family of Utah football royalty, Lander Barton arrived in Salt Lake City with lofty expectations. The 6'4", 236-pound linebacker quickly made his own mark, earning Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. Barton racked up 46 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in his debut season. His sophomore campaign was cut short by injury after seven starts, but not before he logged 34 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble.Barton's pedigree extends beyond the gridiron. At Brighton High School, he was a two-sport star, earning all-state honors in football and basketball. As a senior, Barton amassed 122 tackles and 8 sacks, cementing his status as a four-star recruit and the No. 2 prospect in Utah. He capped his prep career with an invitation to the prestigious All-American Bowl.
Following in the footsteps of his NFL-bound brothers, Cody and Jackson, Lander quickly became a defensive cornerstone for the Utes. His versatility and football IQ allowed him to make an immediate impact, starting three games as a true freshman and appearing in all 14 contests. Despite an injury-shortened 2023 season, Barton's trajectory suggests he could be the next in a long line of Utah linebackers to make noise at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Sideline-to-sideline range with plus-plus wheels for the position, demonstrating elite short-area quickness and long speed
- Excels in space as a coverage 'backer, showing fluid hips and the ability to match patterns with TEs and RBs
- High football acumen and processing speed, likely due to NFL pedigree, allowing him to key and diagnose quickly
- Exhibits exceptional COD skills and backpedal fluidity, projecting as a true three-down defender at the next level
- Uses length effectively to stack-and-shed, showing good hand usage and leverage when taking on blocks
- Ball hawk mentality with a knack for creating turnovers
- Frame suggests room for additional mass without compromising his athletic traits, indicating untapped physical potential
- Big-game performer who elevates his play against top competition, showcasing clutch playmaking ability
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal bulk and anchor strength for an NFL MIKE, potentially limiting his effectiveness as a downhill thumper
- Shows inconsistency in run fits and gap integrity, occasionally getting washed out of plays by larger blockers
- Wrap-up technique needs refinement; too often relies on shoulder tackles leading to missed opportunities in the open field
- Limited snaps over two seasons raise durability concerns and questions about his ability to withstand NFL rigors
- Pass rush toolbox is still developing; needs to expand his repertoire of moves to consistently win as a blitzer
Scouting Report: Summary
Barton's tape screams modern NFL linebacker. His range and coverage chops jump off the screen, flashing the ability to erase tight ends and running backs in man coverage. In zone, he demonstrates keen route recognition and closing burst. These traits, coupled with his sideline-to-sideline pursuit, make him a defensive coordinator's chess piece in sub-packages. Between the tackles, Barton's game still needs seasoning. His play strength at the point of attack is a work in progress, and he can struggle to disengage when offensive linemen climb to the second level. His tackling technique is inconsistent, leading to missed opportunities in space. While he shows a nose for the ball, his pass rush plan lacks variety, limiting his impact as a blitzer. Scheme fit will be crucial for Barton's NFL success. A defense that prioritizes speed and versatility in its second-level defenders will maximize his strengths while masking his current limitations. With proper coaching and physical development, Barton has the tools to evolve into an every-down linebacker. However, his immediate impact may be limited to nickel and dime packages while he refines the nuances of stack linebacker play.
Written By:
Lennox Tate (Pac-12)
How other scouting services rate Lander Barton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
55.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*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.