Texas A&M Edge Nic Scourton Flies Up the Draft Board

Texas A&M edge Nic Scourton was here.

He was there.

Scourton was everywhere on his 2024 game film.

⎯Flexing that nasty raw brute power that makes me sit up in my chair.

Talk about making the fricken pocket uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks.

Okay…okay…you got my attention 11. Shame on me for calling you out at Purdue and labeling you as “lazy.” I mean in all fairness you are the one who ’bout me to sleep with your game film in 2023, but all is forgotten and forgiven now. You played your helmet off this past season and the greatest respect and compliment I can give you is a spot on my top 32.

You earned it.

Scourton is a man after my own heart. You see, defensive dominance is my thing. Nothing in the game turns me on more than vicariously living through the big boys like Scourton bullying around those 3-to-350-pound steel-plated offensive linemen. “Put ’em on skates,” as we say in scouting.

Consistency and effort

These two things stood out most to me on Scourton’s game film this past season. Yes, there was still a hint of complacency, but NOTHING like before.

Sure, the sacks and pressures were nice, but that’s not what sold me. I’m looking for guys who I can depend on. What did it for me was Scourton hunting down those backs and receivers on screen passes like he was one of those sharks on National Geographic when they pour blood in the water. What did it for me was seeing Scourton racing 20-30 yards downfield to tackle a running back like he stole something.

Scourton was consistently going the extra mile in these 10 games.

I made sure of it ⎯

I studied every snap.

Pushing the pocket

Now for the good stuff ⎯ stats per Pro Football Focus.

2024:

4 sacks

4 quarterback hits

28 quarterback hurries

Beyond Scourton’s stats were the times he caused the quarterback to move off his spot. There were the incompletions on premature throws he caused, and yes a couple of interceptions too. He was regularly deflating the pocket.

My kind of guy.

He flashed it on film in 2023, but in 2024, he meant business.

Run defense

The true litmus test of effort.

How does he look playing the run? You know, the less glamorous stuff.

Grade: A

Stellar.

Scourton scratched, clawed, and fought his way to running backs while dishing out some devastating shots.

2024:

• 37 tackles (27 solo)
• 14 tackles for loss

Impressive.

The solo tackles paint a picture of someone leading the charge. The tackles for loss illustrate urgency.

That’s exactly the way it looked when I watched it.

Projection

Any team with a ‘help wanted’ sign out front of their facility for a dominant edge defender will want Scourton. He’s a difference-maker who knows how to throw his weight around.

Is it a factor that he looked better on a team that finished 8-5 in 2024 (Texas A&M) vs. the 4-8 team he played for in 2023 (Purdue)?

Yes.

That has to be accounted for on the value board.

#11 Nic Scourton 6-foot-4, 285 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2025 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 78.7% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 3, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Nic Scourton Looked Lazy at Purdue (2023: 10 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: Notre Dame, Florida, Bowling Green, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina, New Mexico, and Texas (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Three down wide framed athletic alpha with equally distributed deep tissue muscle mass. Best with his hand down in the dirt. Paces himself. Flashes top shelf playing speed. Inconsistent first step. Generates considerable initial movement. Can get out of control in the fight. Lacks hip explosiveness. His natural power draws double teams. He uses his hands well. Pass rushing toolbox: head fakes, jump moves, swim, and rip moves. Spins like a tornado. Stalls out if initial pass-rushing efforts are neutralized. Tests both sides. Best vs. RT. Adjusts in the pocket. Hunts and chases backs. Dependable tackler. Protects the perimeter. Hammers people.

Final words

Scourton brings a real presence to a defense.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.