Edge rusher ranks as one of the highest needs annually for defenses ahead of any NFL Draft. They’re among the first lines for causing disruption and setting the tone.
Where does Kansas’ Austin Booker rank? We’re taking a closer look at the prospect, including his height, weight, standout games and, finally, examining his NFL potential.
How Tall Is Austin Booker?
Defenses tend to love their pass rushers at 6’3″ or above. They want the defenders tall enough to swat down passes at the line of scrimmage or bring an imposing presence to the line.
Booker checks off the height box, standing at a towering 6’4 1/2″.
And with that height, Booker brings an 81 1/2″ wingspan to the field.
How Much Does Booker Weigh?
Booker comes with the build of a lean tight end, or he could even pass as a shorter small forward option on the basketball court at a mid-major university.
He tips the scale at 240 pounds, making him one of the lighter EDGE options ahead of the draft.
Yet, with that light mass, Booker runs his 40-yard dash in the 4.79-second range. That speed off the edge will draw teams to look past his leaner build.
How Old Is Booker?
Booker isn’t at the average age for this year’s NFL Draft class, which is 23. But he’s not the youngest prospect either as a 21-year-old.
MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Booker will also be one of the prospects turning a year older during the NFL playoff push, as his birthday is Dec. 14.
What School Did Booker Attend?
In the era of the NCAA transfer portal, the NFL will take in players who lined up for multiple universities. Booker is one of them.
After wrapping up his two-sport star career in football and basketball at Cedar Grove High in Greenwood, Ind., Booker committed to Minnesota as part of the Golden Gophers’ 2021 class. Minnesota ended up with the state of Indiana’s No. 9 overall prospect, per 247Sports.
But Booker emerged as an intriguing NFL prospect after transferring to Kansas.
Revisiting Booker’s College Career
At Minnesota, Booker only snatched two tackles.
For the Jayhawks, Booker blossomed by tallying 56 tackles, 40 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2023.
All of Booker’s sacks came against Power Five competition, including racking up 6.5 against Big 12 foes. He additionally produced four games with seven to nine total tackles.
Booker told CBS Sports at the NFL Combine that he’s confident in his decision to enter the draft rather than spend one more year with the Jayhawks.
“Overall, I feel like I was physically and mentally ready to play at the highest level,” Booker said.
But advice from one past Big 12 star defender also persuaded Booker’s decision.
“But I also talked to Donald Thomas, who played in the league for eight years, and he was telling me that once you dominate in the Big 12, there’s no reason to go and dominate it again,” Booker said. “You kind of showed what you need to, so go while you’re hot.”
Booker’s Potential in the NFL
Is Booker, indeed, making a wise decision by entering the 2024 NFL Draft? And will he become one of the more coveted edge rushers for this class?
Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Chop Robinson are the ones spearheading this year’s EDGE class as projected first-round picks. Booker, meanwhile, was labeled as a “fringe” top-100 prospect by Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings. Yet, Booker is still considered a prospect who could go much higher.
“He could field consideration in the mid-to-late Day 2 range, but he’d be an even better value acquisition early on Day 3,” Cummings said.
Cummings believes Booker’s frame gives him the necessary physical tools to give him a high ceiling. His height, agility, and an “unyielding motor” give him a disruptive side. However, Booker’s frame is also complicating his evaluation.
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Austin Booker
“He’s flashed the ability to properly leverage his frame and stack run blocks. But overall, he can be easier to move with his lighter base and core, and he struggles to break anchors once blockers latch on,” Cummings said.
Cummings believes Booker will need to add bulk to his current frame if he’s planning on having longevity in the NFL. However, teams that operate with a 3-4 scheme may get coaxed into trying him as an outside linebacker.
Overall, teams wanting length and pass-rush help will likely have Booker’s name plastered on their draft board.
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