Oregon Edge Matayo Uiagalelei is a Difficult Evaluation

Oregon edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei looks like he was born to rush the passer.

I mean, look at him.

One of the first things that pops out on his 2024 game film is those long, strong arms and how he uses them to create separation against offensive tackles.

A couple of other things became apparent quickly as well. He’s got the necessary speed, power, and athletic ability to adjust in the pocket and close the deal.

I started feeling excited.

It’s a certain feeling I get when watching some of these prospects.

It’s an inner knowing that this one is gonna be one.

He makes some eyebrow-raising plays as a pass rusher that got me on the edge of my seat.

But then he disappears for long stretches of game film.

That’s so frustrating.

2024 pass rush production

Pro Football Focus:

• 10.5 sacks
• 31 quarterback pressures
• 16.9% win rate

Despite all the times Uiagalelei puts it on cruise control, that’s the reality.

What is his plan to attack?

Uiagalelei is not a polished pass rusher. He only used various pass rush moves a handful of times in these 13 games.

He relies on his natural God-given ability to win.

Uiagalelei is extremely opportunistic as a pass rusher.

Most of his sacks were the result of his being able to exploit vulnerable inner gaps along the offensive line against guards and the center. He loves stunting inside.

Could take or leave run defense

Make no mistake, Uiagalelei is more motivated as a pass rusher than he is playing run defense. There were several times I saw him jogging backside on active running plays.

He also looks like he’s playing patty-cake with offensive linemen on a lot of other running plays.

He’s just not into it.

⎯ Sure, every so often, Uiagalelei proves it’s in him to do it when he fights through a block to make a tackle or an assist, but those are exceptions.

Not the norm.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, he had 38 tackles (24 solo, 13 tackles for loss) in 2024, but most of the time, it was like Oregon’s defense was playing with 10 men on the field on running plays. Too often, he looked sluggish, and I was left feeling underwhelmed.

What’s the impression I’m walking away with?

When it’s all said and done, Uiagalelei could be the first edge rusher selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

He looks that good when he’s on.

Why is he underachieving?

A) Is it a lack of love for the game?

B) Is it the defensive scheme?

C) Maybe he’s setting up offensive linemen and lulling them to sleep before he strikes?

D) Is he lazy?

⎯ Or is it choice E) all of the above?

I’m going to give it another season of studying him on game film to attempt to answer that question before setting my 2026 NFL Draft value board.

But for now, I have a feeling about his guy and I’m going with it.

#10 Matayo Uiagalelei 6-foot-5, 272 pounds

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

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of September 3, 2025

2024 game film evaluated: Idaho, Boise State, Oregon State, UCLA, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin, Washington, and Ohio State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: Older brother is quarterback DJ Uiagalelei

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Gifted prospect who picks and chooses his spots. Stands up or puts his hand down in the dirt pre-snap. Flip flops from side to side to test offensive tackles. Raw. Pass rush moves: spin move (six times), ghost move (two times), and one head fake all season. Twitchy. Excels at hand-to-hand combat. Can bend the edge. Good close and acceleration to the quarterback when he’s in his sights. Authoritative bull rush. Below average at taking on and shedding run blocks. Sometimes uses his body instead of his hands when taking on run blocks.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Motor?

2. Pass rush moves?

3. How does he look versus the run?

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. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.