Auburn has sent three linebackers to the NFL Draft in the last 15 years. All three went off the board in Round 5 or later. In truth, the Tigers haven’t had a linebacker selected in the first two days of the draft since 2004. But can Zakoby McClain buck that trend with his scouting report? With the 2022 NFL Draft fast approaching, let’s dive into McClain’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall projection.
Zakoby McClain NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Linebacker
- School: Auburn
- Current Year: Senior
- Height: 5’11 3/8″
- Weight: 228 pounds
- Wingspan: 74 3/4″
- Arm: 31 3/4″
- Hand: 9 1/4″
Zakoby McClain Scouting Report
There is no getting around it, McClain is on the smaller side for a linebacker. At 5’11 3/8″ and 228 pounds with 31 3/4″ arms, he is more akin to a running back. Nevertheless, he makes up for his size with his ferocity and ability to generate stops.
McClain isn’t an exceptional athlete, as proven by his testing numbers. At the NFL Combine, he produced a 4.69 40-yard dash, 33″ vertical, and 9’9″ broad. All are decent, though his 1.57 10-yard split in the 40 was positive. However, McClain tested poorly in agility drills at his pro day, with a 4.59 short shuttle and 7.40 three-cone. To put those numbers into perspective, UConn DT Travis Jones registered faster times at 6’4″ and 325 pounds.
Still, McClain plays faster on film than his testing numbers dictate. After leading Auburn in tackles the last two years, he received an invite to the Shrine Bowl. But it wasn’t meant to be, as McClain suffered a finger injury shortly after landing in Las Vegas and could not remain on the field.
McClain is an undersized linebacker with restricted coverage range, limiting his role in the NFL. Yet, his play speed, competitive toughness, and special-teams ability should help him stick on a roster. He may never grow into a three-down starter due to his stature and athletic limitations, but he can be a solid backup as a WILL linebacker. McClain should hear his name called sometime on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, likely in the Round 6-7 range.
Where McClain wins
When you turn on McClain’s tape, the first thing you notice is the violence coming downhill. While it gets him in trouble on occasion (more on that later), the Auburn LB owns a quick trigger. He plays with active hands and feet to prepare for incoming ball carriers and owns a nose for the football. Thus, McClain fits into the run-and-chase, slashing WILL LB mold.
In the box, he can shoot gaps, stay low for leverage, and bounce laterally, utilizing skip steps when necessary. More often than not, he takes proper angles to running backs and weaves through bodies. Although McClain is small for a linebacker, he is much stronger and more durable than one would expect. He bulldozes lighter running backs as a blitzer and can take on blocks from linemen. McClain explodes into oncoming blockers and sheds with the momentum.
The Auburn product has the vision and lateral agility to mirror at the line of scrimmage with enough speed to chase near the sidelines. Additionally, in coverage, McClain seems comfortable in space. He can spot drop, stick with tight ends and running backs, and will rush the passer as soon as he recognizes there will be no threats in his zone.
McClain’s 31″ arms limit his tackling range, but they are vice-like, trapping anything they get a grasp on. He is a head-up tackler with solid technique, which is necessary for a player trying to make a 53-man squad. Speaking of, McClain’s core-four special-teams experience (kick/punt return and coverage) will only boost his odds to earn a roster spot.
Areas for improvement
While it isn’t something he can improve all that much, McClain’s stature will limit which teams even give him a look. When OL or TEs get into his pads on run plays, he struggles to disengage. He showed impressive shedding ability, but NFL blockers will cause him more issues. His average athletic profile will likely keep him from a three-down role on most teams due to his restricted range.
As a tackler, McClain can keep his feet moving after securing the tackle to ensure no extra yardage is gained. He needs to charge through contact against runs to plug his gap instead of letting ball carries slip by. Furthermore, McClain needs to be more disciplined as he occasionally overcommits to an angle or prematurely attacks it (sometimes wrong gaps), creating cutback lanes.
Although McClain is strong with the ball in front of him, he wasn’t asked to turn his back and cover downfield. Moreover, he can let receivers slip behind his zones from the other side of the field, turning into chunk gains. His shorter strides and lack of top speed lead to average to below-average recovery ability.
McClain tends to bite on play-action fakes, leaving him delayed to his zone. He also jumps to pump fakes and look-offs, which he must correct to see the field on passing downs in the NFL.
McClain’s Player Profile
McClain began playing football at just six years old. While he also participated in baseball and basketball, the gridiron is where his heart lay. He was a three-year starter at Valdosta High School in Georgia, playing outside and middle linebacker.
His best season came as a junior in 2016, when he generated 123 tackles (20 for loss) and helped lead the team to their first state championship since 1998. He earned a U.S. Army All-American Bowl invite for his performance, officially putting him on the national map.
McClain ended his high school career as a four-star recruit and the 13th outside linebacker in the nation, per the 247Sports Composite. After his junior campaign, McClain received offers from LSU, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Oregon, and more. Living under two hours away from Tallahassee, the Valdosta native grew up a Florida State fan, but head coach Jimbo Fisher never extended an offer.
So, just three days following a visit to Auburn for the 2017 Iron Bowl, in which they handed Alabama their only loss of the season, McClain committed to the Tigers. After his commitment, he stated, “I’ve been wanting to commit to Auburn. I just wanted to keep everybody guessing. I like the coaching staff, the players, and the fans. [My visit] was amazing. The crowd was wild. Coaches were making me feel like I was at home.”
McClain’s career at Auburn
McClain saw playing time in a handful of games as a true freshman before becoming the third LB in rotation in 2019. That year, he recorded 55 tackles while playing behind 2021 fifth-rounder K.J. Britt and 2023 prospect Owen Pappoe. Additionally, he recorded one of the most memorable pick-sixes in recent memory, taking an end-zone interception against Mac Jones and Alabama 100 yards for the score.
Once Britt joined the NFL ranks, it was McClain’s time to shine. The Tigers product was a two-year starter (2020-2021), leading the team in tackles both seasons. In total, McClain leaves Auburn with 268 tackles (19 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 1 INT, 9 PBUs, and 4 forced fumbles.
Off the field, McClain graduated with his degree in interdisciplinary studies last August and just turned 22 in March.
What they’re saying about McClain
“He’s up there (with the best Auburn LBs). From a guy that coached him and a guy that played there, it’s a unique perspective. There’s been a lot of really good linebackers, and he’s a great one. The first thing that comes out, he’s a dog. He’s a guy you want in an alley with you. He’s a guy that loves ball. Even recruiting him coming out, people talked about his size, and I’m like, ‘Have y’all seen the film? Have you seen how this dude plays the game?'” — former Auburn LB coach and current UCF defensive coordinator Travis Williams
“He’s very, very instinctive. He’s got great eyes that put him where he needs to be. Very athletic, gets to his points, and plays with power. He takes on blocks, but he can slip blocks, he can cover. I mean, he’s a complete player. He was a heck of a player (at Valdosta), and he’s only gotten better.” — Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher
McClain’s NFL Draft ascension
Overall, McClain is a linebacker with limited tools but an abundance of gumption. Physically and usage/production-wise, McClain reminds me of former Arkansas Razorback Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw was a fifth-round selection by the 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft and has actually held onto a starting role.
The 49ers LB possesses a thicker build and is a more fluid athlete, but he lacked the aggressiveness and quick trigger McClain innately has.
- Greenlaw (2019 Combine): 5’11 1/2″, 237 pounds, 32 1/4″ arms, 4.73 40-yard dash, 33″ vertical, 9’9″ broad, 4.56 short shuttle, 7.21 three-cone
- McClain (2022 Combine/Pro Day): 5’11 3/8″, 228 pounds, 31 3/4″ arms, 4.69 40-yard dash, 33″ vertical, 9’9″ broad, 4.59 short shuttle, 7.40 three-cone
McClain needs to become more disciplined with his eyes and prove to teams he can cover with reliability, but he has the intangibles I’d bank on. Although he will likely come off the board in the late-Day 3 range, McClain can be a valuable asset on special teams in Year 1 while honing his skills as a backup linebacker.