Scouting reports for 2021 NFL Draft prospects from the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12) 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 Pac-12 Scouting Report:
Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State Sun Devils, California Golden Bears, & Colorado Buffaloes – Page 1
Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Stanford Cardinal, & UCLA Bruins – Page 2
USC Trojans, Utah Utes, & Washington Huskies – Page 3
2021 NFL Draft | Pac-12 Scouting Reports: Arizona Wildcats
Anthony Pandy NFL Draft Scouting Report | Linebacker
Positives: Two-year starter who was a key reserve as a freshman and sophomore. Safety-sized linebacker with poor speed. Breaks down well, gives effort defending the run, and wraps up tackling. Remains disciplined with assignments, flashes ability in zone, and effectively quarterbacks the defense. Gets depth on pass drops and fires up the field defending the run.
Negatives: Easily removed from the action by a single blocker. Not a strong wrap-up tackler. Doesn’t cover much area on the field and lacks great speed in pursuit.
Analysis: Pandy was a consistent linebacker for Arizona but lacks the measurables for the next level.
Gary Brightwell NFL Draft Scouting Report | Running Back
Positives: First-year starter who posted a career-best 525 yards rushing as a sophomore. Hard-working college ball carrier with good vision and pass-catching skill. Grinds it out on the inside, displays short-area quickness and keeps his feet moving. Finds the running lanes, runs north and south, and helps the quarterback sell ball fakes. Terrific pass catcher out of the backfield and makes receptions down the flanks.
Negatives: Not a quick or smooth cutback runner. Doesn’t pick up much yardage off initial contact. Lacks the speed to turn the perimeter.
Analysis: Brightwell was a terrific back three years running at Arizona, yet possesses no outstanding physical characteristics to his game. His pass-catching skill could help him grab a roster spot as a fifth running back.
Lorenzo Burns NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Four-year starter who totaled a career-best 5 interceptions as a freshman. Fluid cornerback with a good feel for coverage. Quick pedaling in reverse, loses nothing in transition and runs downfield with opponents. Mixes it up with receivers, stays on the opponent’s hip out of breaks, and has a quick closing burst. Tracks the pass in the air, effectively positions himself against receivers, and possesses good hands for the interception.
Negatives: Possesses a thin build, struggles in battles, and isn’t a stout run defender. Hesitant reacting, which results in him arriving late on the scene.
Analysis: Burns was a solid cover corner for Arizona who opponents purposely stayed away from. He must add strength to his frame but has enough ability to line up in dime packages.
2021 NFL Draft | Pac-12 Scouting Reports: Arizona State Sun Devils
For information on Arizona State wide receiver Frank Darby, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
2021 NFL Draft | Pac-12 Scouting Reports: California Golden Bears
For information on California cornerback Camryn Bynum, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
Jake Curhan NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Four-year starter who spent his college career at right tackle. Large, slug-it-out offensive lineman with limited upside. Fundamentally sound, stays square and effectively uses his hands. Fires into blocks, shows power at the point and drives defenders off the line. Stays with the action, looks to hit multiple defenders on a single snap, and controls opponents in one-on-one assignments. Keeps his head on a swivel.
Negatives: Bends at the waist and lacks footwork off the edge. Doesn’t sink his butt at the line of scrimmage. Lacks lateral blocking range.
Analysis: Curhan possesses the size and intensity to play at the next level but has athletic limitations. He’s strictly a strong-side blocking prospect who will line up at guard or tackle, yet I believe Curhan is no more than a backup in the NFL.
Zeandae Johnson NFL Draft Scouting Report | Defensive End
Positives: Two-year starter who posted a career-best 3.5 sacks as a junior. Hard-working college defensive lineman with limited physical skills. Breaks down well, easily changes direction, and moves well laterally. Gets off the snap with an explosive first step, plays with proper pad level, and keeps his feet moving. Flashes strength and knocks offensive tackles off the line. Shows the ability to bend off the edge and works his hands throughout the action.
Negatives: Lacks bulk and gets out-positioned from the action by a single blocker. Makes plays primarily based on effort rather than pure physical skill.
Analysis: Johnson was a hard-charging college defender who got the most from his ability, but he may be tapped out physically. He offers possibilities as a backup defensive end in a three-man line or on the inside as a three-technique tackle.
2021 NFL Draft | Pac-12 Scouting Reports: Colorado Buffaloes
Kary Kutsch NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Junior-college transfer who started for Colorado the past two years. Small-area blocker who plays with proper fundamentals. Starts with excellent knee bend, gets leverage on opponents, and sets with a wide base. Stays square, jolts defenders with explosive hand punch, and is very effective in a small area. Keeps his head on a swivel picking up stunts or twists thrown by the opposition.
Negatives: Does not get much movement run blocking despite his size and strength. Heavy-footed and cannot get to the spot pulling across the line of scrimmage.
Analysis: Kutsch was a terrific offensive lineman for Colorado the past two seasons but has limitations. He’s a small-area blocker who struggles to finish blocks and may never get off a practice squad.
For information on Colorado defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
For information on Colorado offensive lineman William Sherman, check out his 2021 NFL Draft Profile.