Tyrique Tucker

DL3T·

Indiana#168 overall

Fifth roundConsensus #168 · STM #141 · model is 27 spots higherModel Score 85.4 B+

Updated October 9, 2026

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Scouting Report

Tyrique Tucker is a thick, low-built interior defender who became the anchor of Indiana's front during the Hoosiers' national championship run. He began his career at James Madison, starting five games as a redshirt freshman under Curt Cignetti, then followed Cignetti to Bloomington as part of the transfer core that rebuilt the program, and he is now the last remaining James Madison transfer on the roster. He broke out in 2025, starting all 16 games and posting 40 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks while ranking among the team leaders in both disruption categories from the interior. NFLDraftBuzz lists him at 6-0, 307 pounds with a 4.94 forty and grades him as the No. 18 defensive lineman in the class, though the broader scouting consensus places him closer to the 120th overall prospect. His game is built on leverage and hand strength: he stacks the point of attack, squeezes rush lanes and is rarely dislodged by down blocks or doubles. He was also a dependable finisher in his area, missing only three tackles on the season. He carried a heavy workload in the national championship game against Miami, producing a quarterback hit as one of the most-used Hoosier rushers behind Mikail Kamara. He saved strong efforts for the biggest stages, including a sack against Illinois. The pass rush wins on power rather than variety, and his short arms and upright pad level are the traits NFL blockers will target. As a senior with a defined ceiling, Tucker profiles as a rotational nose tackle and early-down run stuffer rather than a developmental swing.

NFL Comparison

What the data says

NFL players whose college production, size and testing looked most like his (year = draft class)

Khalil Davis ’2062%DeWayne Carter ’2458%Sedrick Ellis ’0856%

Of his 20 closest coming out: 0 stars, 10 starters, 8 backups, 2 didn't stick.

What scouts say

Early-down nose tackle in the mold of a leverage-first two-gapper; power-based interior rusher without a counter, closer to a rotational anchor than a three-down starter

Draft Movement

#130 · Jun 8#168 · now

Down 38 spots since Jun 8

Strengths

Thick, low-built 307-pound interior frame that clogs the middle and holds firm
Stout run defender who stacks the point of attack and squeezes rush lanes
Strong, active hands to disengage from blocks and find the ball
More pass-rush juice than his build suggests, seven sacks and 30 total pressures on the year
Rarely moved off his spot against down blocks or double teams
Reliable finisher in his area with only three missed tackles on the season
Carried a real workload on the biggest stage, 50 snaps and 29 pass-rush snaps in the national championship
Saved his best efforts for marquee games, including a sack against Illinois

Weaknesses

Short arms and a high pad level let longer blockers get into his frame
Limited range and lateral quickness once he has to work away from his gap
Pass rush wins on power with little changeup or counter to the bull
Only one pressure in the championship game across 29 rush snaps, a 3.5 percent rate
Older senior prospect whose ceiling is largely defined at this point
Offers essentially nothing in coverage, a pure front-line role player
Pass-rush snaps will likely be capped until he adds a secondary move

College Stats

2025 (Indiana): 16 starts, 40 tackles, 12 TFL, 6 sacks, 30 total pressures, 3 missed tackles; National championship vs Miami: 50 snaps, 29 pass-rush snaps, 1 QB hit; 2022 (James Madison): 5 starts as a redshirt freshman

College Market Value

Model Price

$813K

Our model prices him at $813K on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and Indiana's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.

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