Matayo Uiagalelei

EDGE·Oregon#16 overall
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Draft Movement

#15 · Jun 8#16 · now

Down 1 spot since Jun 8

Scouting Report

Matayo Uiagalelei is a 6-foot-5, 272-pound edge with a rare blend of size, length, strength and explosiveness that has made him one of the headline prospects of the 2027 NFL Draft cycle. The younger brother of former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Matayo was a 4-star recruit who emerged as Oregon's most disruptive lineman in 2024 even with three eventual 2025 draft picks alongside him on the line. Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball praises an excellent first step, speed-to-power and the flexible hips and ankles to corner and turn the edge, projecting him as a potential first-round talent. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder slotted him at overall rank 33, EDGE6, with a 7.8 second-round grade and a Gregory Rousseau comparison, citing efficient loop paths on stunts, a solid long-arm, and well-timed cross-chops. NFL Mock Draft Database carries him as the consensus No. 20 prospect with a projected first-round, top-50 ceiling and notes he can align anywhere from a 3-tech to a 9-tech. Sam Teets ranked him No. 27 on his summer board. He flashes vision to redirect on scrambling quarterbacks and is athletic enough to drop into zone coverage. The knocks are consistency-based: he can be a tick late, lacks one elite trait, and his run defense is still developing. Still only 20, the developmental runway is the selling point. Evaluators see a future NFL starter and impact edge if he refines his pass-rush plan.

Strengths

  • Rare size-length-strength blend at 6-foot-5, 272 with no bad weight and fluid movement
  • explosive first step and excellent get-off to win penetration
  • speed-to-power conversion that bull-rushes tackles backward
  • flexible ankles and hips to bend and corner at the top of the rush
  • refined hands with a solid long-arm and well-timed cross-chop to win the OT's hands
  • agile looper on line games who takes efficient vertical-while-lateral paths to the QB
  • 10.5 sacks and 12.5-plus TFLs as a 2024 sophomore while leading Oregon's loaded DL in sacks
  • sets a firm edge with a wide base and strength to create backfield stalemates against pullers

Weaknesses

  • Lacks a single dominant, hang-your-hat trait, profiling as solid-to-good across the board rather than elite
  • needs to play more physically at the point of attack
  • habit of surrendering positioning and chasing the ballcarrier as a run defender, opening rushing lanes
  • run-defense grades lag his pass-rush production and still need refinement
  • pass-rush plan is unrefined, with subpar quickness flagged by Bleacher Report
  • consistency wavers play-to-play, with youth showing on transition plays
  • tackling technique still developing

NFL Comparison

Gregory Rousseau (Bleacher Report's direct comp; long, versatile, multi-alignment edge who wins with length and bend over pure bend-speed); Travon Walker (toolsy, high-ceiling power-rush edge whose traits outpace polish early); Jermaine Johnson (long, well-rounded edge who sets the edge and rushes with developing hands); Nic Scourton (B/R comparable-grade edge, similar size and speed-to-power profile)

College Stats

2023 (Fr.): 13 G, 1 start, 18 tackles, 3 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 2 PD; 2024 (So.): 38 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks (led Oregon DL), 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 pass batted, 2 FF; PFF top games incl. 91.6 vs Montana St and 91.0 vs Oregon St in 2025

Measurables

Height
6'5"
Weight
272

Awards & Honors

First-team All-Big Ten (media) and second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) in 2024; 4-star recruit (247Sports, 2023 class); B/R overall rank 33, EDGE6 (7.8 grade); NFLMDDB consensus No. 20, projected 1st round; Sam Teets summer big board No. 27