Parker Brailsford
Parker Brailsford  C  Alabama | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Parker Brailsford
Height
6-2
Weight
290
College
Alabama
Position
C
Class
Sophomore
Home town
Mesa, AZ
83.7/100
Player Rating
18
PositionRank (OL)
4.95
FortyYD Time

Parker Brailsford C Alabama | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Parker Brailsford C Alabama
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

SUB-POSITION: Center
Last Updated: 06/06/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.95 seconds (96%*)
Age: 21.7 DOB: 10/20/2003
Measurables:
Height: 6-2 (21%*) Weight: 290 (8%*)
Forty: 4.95 (O) (96%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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SUB-POSITION: Center
Last Updated: 06/06/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.95 seconds (96%*)
Age: 21.7 DOB: 10/20/2003
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-2 (21%*) Weight: 290 (8%*)
Forty: 4.95 (O) (96%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 83.7 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
77%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Pass Blocking:
86%
Run Blocking:
72%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 4th
Overall Rank: #104 Position rank: #18
College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1751
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 80/100
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 87 Stars 247 RATING: 87/100
Grade: 3 Stars 3 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Zach Tom - Wake Forest
75%
Tanor Bortolini - Wisconsin
74%
Alec Lindstrom - Boston College
72%
Draft Profile: Bio
When Parker Brailsford stepped onto Alabama's campus last spring, he carried the weight of expectation that comes with being the nation's consensus top center prospect. The Arizona native had already proven himself as the anchor of Washington's Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line that carried the Huskies to within one game of a national championship. His decision to follow coach Kalen DeBoer from Seattle to Tuscaloosa wasn't just about loyalty—it was about proving he could dominate in the SEC's most punishing trenches.

Brailsford's path to prominence wasn't conventional. After redshirting his freshman year at Washington in 2022, he exploded onto the scene as a redshirt freshman, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors while anchoring one of college football's most dynamic offenses. His 80.7 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second among Power Five centers, and he allowed just half a sack across 777 snaps during his Alabama debut season. The four-star recruit from Saguaro High School in Arizona transformed from a relatively unknown transfer portal addition into one of the most coveted interior linemen in the country.

The numbers tell only part of Brailsford's story. His journey from a three-star recruit who helped Saguaro to a state championship in 2021 to becoming Alabama's starting center represents the kind of development curve that NFL scouts salivate over. With preseason All-American recognition from multiple outlets and spots on the Rimington Trophy, Lombardi Award, and Outland Trophy watch lists, Brailsford has positioned himself as the premium center prospect in a draft class that desperately needs reliable interior line talent. His recent decision to return for the 2025 season, citing a desire to add 10-15 pounds to his frame, shows the kind of self-awareness and commitment to improvement that translates to the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Outstanding zone-blocking instincts with the processing speed to identify stunts, games, and late blitzers while maintaining proper leverage and positioning throughout.
  • Exceptional mobility in space that enables him to climb to the second level effectively and seal off running lanes with coordinated footwork and balanced pad level.
  • Demonstrates remarkable competitive fire and sustained effort through the whistle, constantly clawing and scrapping to maintain contact even when initially beaten.
  • Shows impressive versatility having started games at right guard for Washington, proving his ability to handle multiple responsibilities along the interior line.
  • Creates clean pockets in pass protection with active hands and quick feet that allow him to mirror speed rushers and redirect power moves effectively.
  • Displays excellent football intelligence with his ability to identify defensive fronts pre-snap and make necessary protection adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
  • Maintains low center of gravity that helps him win leverage battles against taller defensive tackles and anchor against bull rushes despite his lighter frame.
  • Elite burst and acceleration off the snap with rare twitchiness for the center position that allows him to reach defenders before they can set their hands.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Shorter arm length allows longer defensive tackles to lock him out and control the engagement point, limiting his ability to maintain proper hand placement.
  • Undersized frame at 290 pounds creates obvious strength disadvantages against massive nose tackles who can square him up and drive him backward consistently.
  • Can get overly aggressive with his initial punch, leading to balance issues and forcing him into recovery mode when he overshoots his target.
  • Struggles to anchor against pure power rushes when isolated in one-on-one situations, often getting slowly walked back into the quarterback's lap.
  • May require consistent double-team help against elite nose tackles, potentially limiting scheme flexibility and putting additional burden on his guard partners.
Scouting Report: Summary
Brailsford's exceptional mobility and pass protection skills create immediate value for offenses that prioritize quick-hitting concepts and zone rushing attacks, yet his struggles against power will require careful roster construction around him. When protected by scheme and flanked by heavier guards, he can be a difference-maker who elevates an entire unit's athleticism and range.

His processing skills and pre-snap recognition suggest he'll adapt quickly to NFL complexities, but the physical limitations that occasionally surfaced against elite college competition will only magnify at the pro level. The encouraging news is that Brailsford's best moments came in the biggest games, showing the kind of competitive makeup that often translates regardless of size concerns. However, coordinators will need to be creative about how they deploy him, likely requiring regular chip help and strategic double-teams against elite interior rushers. His decision to return for another season and add weight demonstrates self-awareness, though there's valid concern about whether additional mass will compromise the quickness that makes him special.

The NFL is increasingly valuing centers who can execute in space and handle complex protection schemes, which plays directly into Brailsford's wheelhouse. Still, the reality remains that he'll never be mistaken for a road-grading anchor, and teams betting on his development must be comfortable with that trade-off. His ceiling involves becoming a steady starter who brings consistency and intelligence to the position, while his floor could see him relegated to a backup role if he can't adequately handle one-on-one power situations. The outcome likely hinges on whether he can find the right balance between adding functional strength and maintaining the explosive first step that defines his game.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)

How other scouting services rate Parker Brailsford (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
67.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*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.