Noah Fifita QB Arizona | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Noah Fifita QB Arizona
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/11/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.75 seconds (67%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.10 DOB: 07/28/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 05/11/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.75 seconds (67%*) | |
| Age: 21.10 DOB: 07/28/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 81.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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71% |
| Short Passing: |
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74% |
| Medium Passing: |
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73% |
| Long Passing: |
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85% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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63% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#174
Position rank:
#13
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| College Games: 27 College Snaps: 1457 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Taulia Tagovailoa - Maryland |
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73% |
| Levi Lewis - Louisiana |
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72% |
| Jake Haener - Fresno State |
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65% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The undersized gunslinger from Huntington Beach made waves when he seized Arizona's starting job in 2023 and never looked back. Fifita, a product of Servite High School where he rewrote the program's record books, arrived in Tucson as a modest three-star recruit before blossoming into one of the Big 12's most dynamic field generals. After earning Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 with a record-setting 72.4% completion rate and 25 touchdowns against just six interceptions, Fifita faced adversity in 2024 with inconsistent production (2,958 yards, 18 TDs, 12 INTs) as Arizona transitioned to the Big 12.The Polynesian Bowl participant and dual-sport athlete (also played golf in high school) doesn't just collect accolades – he's accumulated them at a staggering pace, with over 15 weekly and seasonal awards including being named a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. His storybook 527-yard, five-touchdown performance in the 2023 Territorial Cup – both program records – cemented his status as a certified Arizona legend before he even reached upperclassman status.
Through three collegiate seasons, Fifita has amassed nearly 6,000 passing yards with 44 career touchdowns, placing him seventh in program history for career scoring strikes. His journey from backing up Jayden de Laura to becoming the offensive coordinator's self-proclaimed "best quarterback in the league without a doubt" demonstrates the developmental trajectory that has NFL scouts increasingly intrigued by what the undersized playmaker could bring to the pro ranks.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Silky-smooth release with lightning-quick trigger that consistently beats pressure and eliminates throwing windows that should be closed to a quarterback of his stature.
- Surgical ball placement on intermediate throws, particularly between the hashes, where he threads needles and places the ball away from defenders' reach with veteran-level precision.
- Possesses rare spatial awareness in the pocket, feeling ghosted pressure and navigating traffic with subtle movements that buy crucial half-seconds without breaking rhythm.
- Shows natural feel manipulating defenders with his eyes, routinely freezing safeties on seam routes and creating throwing lanes that shouldn't exist for someone 5'10".
- Demonstrably tough competitor who stands tall against punishment, evidenced by his iconic performance against ASU where relentless pressure couldn't derail his record-setting day.
- Creative off-platform thrower who generates surprising velocity when forced off his spot, maintaining accuracy while contorting his body into awkward launch positions.
- Established command presence beyond his years, taking ownership of the huddle and earning the respect of veterans as a redshirt freshman – players gravitate to his quiet confidence.
- Processes information quickly at the line, recognizing defensive structures and making smart adjustments that show sophisticated pre-snap understanding rarely seen in collegiate quarterbacks.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Significant size concerns create legitimate questions about NFL translatability – at 5'10" and 188 pounds, he's dramatically undersized even in an era of shorter quarterbacks.
- Deep ball delivery lacks consistent zip, with passes beyond 40 yards tending to hang and allowing defenders recovery time they wouldn't have against stronger-armed prospects.
- Takes unnecessary punishment by extending plays too long, showing a gunslinger mentality that works in college but could lead to durability issues against NFL-caliber defenders.
- Interior pressure visibly affects throwing mechanics, causing his front foot to drift and balls to sail high when defensive tackles collapse his already limited sight lines.
- Rhythm passer who struggles when forced to reset and find secondary options – shows hesitation when primary read is covered, leading to coverage sacks and forced throws.
Scouting Report: Summary
Fifita represents a polarizing evaluation for NFL scouts as he enters the 2025 season – a quarterback whose film contains both tantalizing skills and genuine concerns. His substantial regression from a breakout freshman campaign (72.4% completion, 25 TDs, 6 INTs) to a disappointing 2024 (60.5%, 18 TDs, 12 INTs) cannot be ignored. The transition to the Big 12, coupled with the loss of offensive continuity and increased defensive attention after his surprise emergence, exposed limitations that weren't apparent during his magical 2023 run.His film tells the story of a quarterback who thrives in structure but struggles when forced to create – a troubling combination when paired with significant physical limitations. Unlike Murray (elite athleticism) or Brees (exceptional arm talent), Fifita must overcome his 5'10" frame without those compensatory traits. The interception spike in 2024 raises red flags about his decision-making against higher-caliber defenses, yet flashes of brilliance remain that keep scouts intrigued by his potential in the right system.
Despite these concerns, Fifita's processing speed, football I.Q., and proven resilience against adversity suggest he could outperform his eventual draft position. His tape profiles him as a potential mid-Day 3 selection with room to develop into a capable backup who could provide spot starts in rhythm-based offenses that maximize quick decisions and precise ball placement. The upcoming 2025 campaign will be make-or-break for Fifita to prove his 2024 struggles were an anomaly rather than an indication of his ceiling against higher-caliber competition.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Noah Fifita (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
372.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
29.0
*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.