Smael Mondon Jr. LB Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Smael Mondon Jr. LB Georgia
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 12/04/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.46 seconds (97%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 21.10 DOB: 02/13/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
Last Updated: 12/04/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.46 seconds (97%*) | |
Age: 21.10 DOB: 02/13/2003 | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 83.5 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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86% |
Pass Rush: |
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73% |
Run Defense: |
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77% |
Coverage: |
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70% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#98
Position rank:
#6
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College Games: 44 College Snaps: 1594 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Quay Walker - Georgia |
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88% |
Trenton Simpson - Clemson |
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86% |
Jamin Davis - Kentucky |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A highly touted recruit out of Paulding County High School, Smael Mondon Jr. has lived up to the hype during his time at Georgia. The 6'3", 225-pound linebacker has been a key cog in the Bulldogs' dominant defense, showcasing a rare blend of speed, instincts, and versatility that has NFL scouts salivating.Mondon's journey to Athens began as a five-star prospect and the top-ranked outside linebacker in his class. He quickly made his presence felt, contributing as a freshman before emerging as a full-time starter in his sophomore campaign. In 2023, Mondon earned Second Team All-SEC honors, racking up 68 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks in 13 games.
Beyond the stats, Mondon's impact is evident in Georgia's continued defensive dominance. His ability to make plays sideline-to-sideline, drop into coverage, and provide a pass-rushing threat has made him a chess piece for defensive coordinators.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive athleticism with a 4.46 40-yard dash time, placing him in the elite tier for linebackers
- Sideline-to-sideline range allows him to make plays all over the field and excel in pursuit
- Versatile skill set enables him to stay on the field for all three downs, contributing in both run defense and pass coverage
- High football IQ and instincts, often diagnosing plays quickly and reacting before blockers can engage
- Solid tackling technique, showcasing reliable finishing ability in open field situations
- Experience in a pro-style defense at Georgia, facing top-tier competition in the SEC
- Capable blitzer who can shoot gaps and create pressure, demonstrated by his 3 sacks and multiple QB hurries in 2023
- Young for his class, offering significant upside and room for further development at the next level
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Slightly undersized for an NFL linebacker at 225 pounds, which may cause concerns about his ability to stack and shed against pro-level offensive linemen
- Can improve consistency in run defense, particularly when taking on blocks at the point of attack
- Sometimes relies too heavily on athleticism, leading to overaggressive plays and missed assignments
- Pass rush arsenal needs refinement to become a more consistent threat when blitzing
- While solid in coverage, there's room for improvement in his man-to-man skills against tight ends and running backs
Scouting Report: Summary
Mondon projects as a versatile, three-down linebacker in the NFL, with the skill set to fit in multiple defensive schemes. His elite athleticism and developing coverage skills make him an ideal fit for teams employing a lot of nickel packages. In a 4-3 system, he could thrive as a WILL linebacker, using his speed and instincts to make plays in space.For 3-4 defenses, Mondon has the potential to play inside linebacker, though he may need to add some bulk to consistently take on blockers. His blitzing ability and comfort dropping into coverage also make him an intriguing option as an occasional edge rusher in sub-packages. As he continues to develop, Mondon could become a defensive coordinator's Swiss Army knife, capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
With another year of college eligibility remaining, Mondon has the opportunity to address his weaknesses and further showcase his strengths. If he can continue to progress, particularly in his consistency against the run and in man coverage, Mondon has the potential to significantly improve his draft stock and become one of the top linebacker prospects in his class.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Smael Mondon Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
99.1
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.
*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.