A.J. Haulcy
Indianapolis ColtsOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
New Mexico · Mountain West
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | INT | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 86 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| 2023 | 90 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 245 | |
| 2024 | 74 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 92 |
| 2025 | 88 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 41 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
LSU · 2026 draft class
AJ Haulcy has carved an unconventional path to NFL consideration, transforming from overlooked Texas high school star to elite ball-hawking safety through three different college programs. The Fort Bend Marshall product dominated Texas high school football with 12 interceptions as a senior - three returned for touchdowns - while adding 47 tackles and earning First Team All-State honors. Despite the gaudy numbers, major programs passed, and Haulcy landed at New Mexico as a three-star recruit in 2022. He immediately made his mark with 87 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles, including a signature 24-tackle performance against Fresno State that marked the 16th time in 23 years an FBS player reached that total. The Houston Cougars grabbed Haulcy as a mid-year enrollee in January 2023, where he blossomed into one of the Big 12's most productive defensive backs. His 2023 campaign saw him lead Houston with 98 tackles and 73 solo stops - the program's highest marks since 2018 - ranking fourth nationally in solo tackles per game. Haulcy's junior season in 2024 elevated him to All-Conference status, as he tied for the Big 12 lead with five interceptions while finishing second with 13 passes defended and earning First Team All-Big 12 honors from multiple outlets. When LSU lost Sage Ryan to the portal, Brian Kelly pounced, adding Haulcy during the May 2025 spring window to shore up the Tigers' struggling secondary.
Strengths
- Elite ball production throughout college career with 9+ interceptions across four seasons
- including Big 12-leading 5 INTs in 2024
- Tackling machine who consistently leads team in stops - posted 98
- and 64 tackles in consecutive seasons with multiple games of 10+ solo tackles
- Best when working downhill near line of scrimmage
- projecting as low-hole strong safety in Cover 3 schemes
- Exceptional instincts to read quarterbacks and jump routes
- evidenced by two-interception road game at TCU earning Big 12 DPOW and Thorpe Award National DB of the Week
- Proven ability to thrive at multiple programs and adapt to different defensive systems - succeeded at New Mexico
- Houston
Concerns
- Passed over by major programs despite dominant high school production
- raising questions about ceiling or evaluation concerns
- Measurements not publicly available
- creating uncertainty about size
- length
- and athletic testing numbers
- Suspension issues carry over from Houston - missed first half vs Clemson in 2025 due to ejection for fighting vs BYU in 2024
- Three different schools in four years could indicate character concerns or inability to establish roots in one program
- Limited range in deep coverage situations
- projects better near line of scrimmage than as single-high free safety
Honors
First Team All-State (HS); 12 INTs with 3 TDs (HS senior); Three-star recruit; Big 12 Honorable Mention Defensive Newcomer of the Year (2023); First Team All-Big 12 - Coaches, AP, Phil Steele (2024); Phil Steele All-American Honorable Mention (2024); Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week; Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week; Ranked #68 overall, #7 Safety in 2026 NFL Draft