The Utah Utes have been a consistent NFL pipeline over the course of the last decade, and the 2024 NFL Draft is no exception. Edge rusher Jonah Elliss will look to be the Utes’ highest-drafted pass rusher since Nate Orchard was drafted 51st overall in 2015.
What does Eliss’ NFL Draft outlook look like, and can he make an impact for an NFL franchise?
Jonah Elliss Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 243 pounds
- Position: EDGE
- School: Utah
- Current Year: Junior
- Hand: 10 3/8″
- Arm: 33″
- Wingspan: 79 5/8″
The son of Luther Elliss and brother of Kaden, Christian, and Noah Elliss, Jonah Elliss has grown up around a family completely dedicated to football. It’s no surprise that Elliss was rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Idaho in the 2021 recruiting class. After helping his team win two district titles, Elliss committed to Utah, where his dad coaches defensive tackles.
Jonah Elliss is a DE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.59 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 255 out of 1798 DE from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/inYgbc15cU pic.twitter.com/jXQ7QpKI5U
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 21, 2024
As a freshman, Elliss mainly saw action on special teams but did notch his first career sack in the Pac-12 Championship. In 2022, he moved over from linebacker to defensive end, and his playing time skyrocketed. Elliss posted four sacks in eight starts and was named a Pac-12 Honorable Mention.
Yet, 2023 was the year Elliss really broke out onto the scene. He notched 13 sacks on his way to a Consensus All-American finish, and he was a finalist for Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, as well as the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks Awards. After 35 games with the Utes, Elliss declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Elliss’ Scouting Report
Games Watched: Florida (2023), UCLA (2023), Oregon State (2023), USC (2023), Oregon (2023), Washington (2023)
Strengths
- Great first step off of the line of scrimmage
- Physical in the run game
- Tough at the point of attack; cannot be blocked by tight ends
- Good grip strength to toss aside blockers
- Hot motor
- Vast array of pass-rush moves
- Quickness to close ground in pursuit in a hurry
Weaknesses
- Won’t have the desired measurables at 6’1″, 243 pounds
- Tight hips limit his lateral agility
- Not overly flexible as a pass rusher; bend is closer to average
- Can get overwhelmed by power
- Injuries in both 2022 and 2023, including late-season torn labrum
Current Draft Projection and Summary
After a dominant 2023 season, it’s not hard to see why Elliss had the grades he did to feel comfortable declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite not being the biggest pass rusher in this class, Elliss brings very good physicality in the run game. Elliss can set the edge as well as knife into the backfield to disrupt rushers. His quickness off of the line of scrimmage gave several offensive tackles fits. However, he can get knocked off by double-teams at the point of attack.
Teams learned they couldn’t block Elliss with a tight end often, as he has great grip strength to stack and shed blocks and tossed aside his fair share of blockers.
MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
For a pass rusher with just two years of experience there, Elliss was remarkably refined, a likely effect of his football bloodlines. Elliss boasted a great pass-rush plan pre-snap and displayed several different pass-rush moves and counters to win his rush. When combined with his quickness and ability to collapse a pocket, it gives Elliss a long list of ways to win as a pass rusher.
His frame limits his scheme fits, but he’d be at his best in an odd front. He doesn’t boast the athletic upside to be one of the game’s best pass rushers, but Elliss will be a productive pass rusher as long as he stays healthy.
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