Scouting reports for 2021 NFL Draft prospects from the Big 12 Conference from Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network’s Chief Draft Analyst and NFL Insider. To view overall and positional rankings, visit and bookmark Pauline’s Draft Board. Please note that the links below will open in a new tab.
Teams covered in this 2021 Big 12 Scouting Report:
Baylor Bears, Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas Jayhawks, & Kansas State Wildcats – Page 1
Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma State Cowboys, & TCU Horned Frogs – Page 2
Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, & West Virginia Mountaineers – Page 3
2021 NFL Draft | Big 12 Scouting Reports: Baylor Bears
Blake Bedier NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Junior-college transfer who started the past two seasons at right tackle. Small-area blocker with limited upside. Sets with a wide base, quickly gets his hands into defenders, and blocks with good lean. Makes proper use of angles as well as body positioning, shows strength run blocking, and knocks opponents from their angles of attack. Keeps his head on a swivel and always looks for someone to hit.
Negatives: Lacks agility and balance. Haphazard in his movements. Lacks footwork off the edge.
Analysis: Bedier is a hard-working lineman who gets the most from his ability, but he projects to guard in the NFL and may struggle ever getting off a practice squad.
Jake Burton NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: UCLA transfer who started eight games last season. Large, wide-bodied lineman who is best in a very small area. Keeps his head on a swivel, always looks for someone to hit, and stays square. Keeps his feet moving, works his hands throughout the action, and attacks assignments. Flashes athleticism.
Negatives: Lacks footwork in space. Gets tall and isn’t a leverage blocker. Lacks balance moving in space.
Analysis: Burton was durable and productive throughout his college career and possesses next-level size. He lacks great upside, but has the measurables and intellect to back up at either right tackle or guard.
For information on Baylor EDGE William Bradley-King, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
2021 NFL Draft | Big 12 Scouting Reports: Iowa State Cyclones
For information on Iowa State tight end Dylan Soehner, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
JaQuan Bailey NFL Draft Scouting Report | Defensive End
Positives: Four-year starter who was productive since his freshman season. Fires off the snap, shows speed off the edge, and quickly gets to the action. Fluid moving around the field and makes a lot of athletic plays. Bends his knees and gets leverage on opponents.
Negatives: Lacks size and gets knocked off the line or easily disrupted from his angle of attack by a single blocker. Character issues may raise red flags.
Analysis: Bailey was a disruptive force for Iowa State, but lacks the size for defensive end and the play speed for outside linebacker. He’s a natural pass rusher who can stand over tackle or come out of a three-point stance, and may have a place as a situational third-down defender.
Kene Nwangwu NFL Draft Scouting Report | Running Back
Positives: Explosive ball carrier with solid size and speed. Patiently waits for blocks to develop, follows them everywhere on the field, and possesses a terrific burst of speed. Quickly cuts back against the grain, turns it upfield, and consistently runs north and south. Possesses excellent vision, finds the open lanes, and will pick and choose his spots. Displays the ability to make defenders miss and create yardage. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes. Remains disciplined with blocking assignments.
Negatives: Was used on a rotational basis at Iowa State. Doesn’t pick up much yardage off initial contact despite his size. Rarely used as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Analysis: Nwangwu is a physical specimen with size and outstanding speed as well as the vision and football instincts to play on Sundays. He’s a developmental prospect who could surprise in camp this summer, or at the very least make a practice squad come September.
Lawrence White IV NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Full-time starter the past two seasons with an underrated game. Quick to read and diagnose, immediately picks up coverage assignments, and remains disciplined. Effective facing the action, possesses a burst to the ball, and works to knock away throws. Tough and effective run defender, nicely redirecting to ball handlers and bringing opponents down in space. Takes proper angles to the action.
Negatives: Hesitant reacting in coverage. Lacks deep speed. Usually a half-step late arriving on the scene.
Analysis: White was ignored by scouts, and though he lacks top size as well as play speed for the next level, he’s a terrific football player. He offers possibilities as a zone safety and comes with a special teams mentality.
2021 NFL Draft | Big 12 Scouting Reports: Kansas Jayhawks
Dru Prox NFL Draft Scouting Report | Linebacker/Safety
Positives: Two-year starter who saw most of his action at linebacker for Kansas. Nice-sized safety with a hard-hitting style. Crashes upfield defending the run, possesses a closing burst, and keeps his head on a swivel. Easily changes direction, moves well laterally, and uses his hands to protect himself.
Negatives: Gets caught up in the trash and struggles getting off blocks. Average ball skills. Has a very thin body of work in college.
Analysis: Prox passes the eyeball test as a strong safety, but must elevate every aspect of his game. He’s more potential than production at this point.
For information on Kansas running back Pooka Williams Jr., check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
2021 NFL Draft | Big 12 Scouting Reports: Kansas State Wildcats
A.J. Parker NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Three-year starter who was used at both outside cornerback and nickel back for Kansas State. Smooth cornerback with solid ball skills. Fluid pedaling in reverse, tracks the pass in the air, and nicely times pass defenses. Displays a burst out of his plant, takes proper angles to the action, and plays heads-up football. Quickly recognizes assignments and effectively diagnoses plays. Solid run defender who fires up the field and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Possesses average size, struggles taking on bigger receivers and loses out in battles. Plays to one speed and lacks a second gear.
Analysis: Parker was a solid cornerback for Kansas State, and while he lacks great measurables, he has enough ability to make a roster as a dime back/special teams player.
Briley Moore NFL Draft Scouting Report | Tight End
Positives: Northern Iowa transfer who started the past three seasons. Nice-sized tight end with a well-rounded game. Bends his knees, starts with terrific pad level, and blocks with leverage. Quickly sets up off the snap, keeps his head on a swivel, and works to bury opponents.
Fluid releasing into pass routes, finds the soft spot in the defense, and uses his hands to separate from defenders. Runs solid routes for a big man, shields away opponents with his large frame, and tracks the pass in the air. Adjusts to the errant throw, gets down to scoop up low passes, and displays focus as well as concentration.
Negatives: Shows stiffness as a blocker. Occasionally lets the ball get inside him rather than snatching it cleanly away from his frame. Plays to one speed and lacks a downfield burst.
Analysis: Moore is a solid blocker and pass catcher, but he’s spectacular in neither area and is an average athlete. He possesses enough ability to make an NFL roster as a third tight end who can be used as a short-yardage blocker or short-range pass catcher.
Drew Wiley NFL Draft Scouting Report | Defensive Tackle
Positives: Hard-charging defensive lineman who gives great effort, but comes with minimal upside. Plays with proper pad level, gets leverage on opponents, and works his hands. Intense but also instinctive, and quickly diagnoses the action. Solid technician who shows the ability to slide off blocks and get to the play.
Negatives: Lacks bulk, gets easily controlled at the point by a single blocker, and gets knocked around in the middle of the field. Plays to one speed, isn’t effective rushing the passer, and is only effective in a small area.
Analysis: Wiley possesses size as well as growth potential, and comes with great intensity. He’s a gap occupier who leads by example. His approach to the game could help him find a roster spot as a backup defensive tackle in a four-man line.
For information on Kansas State linebacker Elijah Sullivan, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
For information on Kansas State EDGE Wyatt Hubert, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.