Antwaun Powell-Ryland DL/EDGE Virginia Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Antwaun Powell-Ryland DL/EDGE Virginia Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 06/29/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.73 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 06/29/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.73 seconds (86%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 71.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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57% |
| Pass Rush: |
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83% |
| Run Defense: |
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61% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#253
Position rank:
#44
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1052 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jose Ramirez - Eastern Michigan |
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94% |
| Grayson Murphy - UCLA |
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92% |
| Nelson Ceaser - Houston |
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77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, a former Virginia Tech standout, has emerged as an intriguing EDGE prospect in this year's NFL Draft. The Portsmouth, Virginia native made his mark at Indian River High School, earning four-star ratings from major recruiting services and an invitation to the prestigious Under Armour All-America Game.Powell-Ryland's college journey began at Florida, where he spent three seasons before transferring to Virginia Tech for his final year. His time with the Gators was marked by steady progression, culminating in a 2022 campaign where he appeared in all 13 games, making five starts and showcasing his disruptive potential.
The 2023 season at Virginia Tech proved to be Powell-Ryland's breakout year. He started 12 of 13 games, racking up impressive numbers: 40 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. His performance earned him Second Team All-ACC honors and an Honorable Mention All-American nod from Phil Steele, solidifying his status as a draft-worthy edge defender.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive first step off the line, consistently beating tackles to the edge and forcing quarterbacks off their spot
- Impressive bend and flexibility allow him to turn the corner efficiently, reducing his surface area for blockers to engage
- Displays a relentless motor, pursuing plays from the backside and never giving up on his rush
- Versatile defender capable of dropping into coverage or setting the edge against the run
- High football IQ evident in his ability to diagnose plays quickly and adjust his pursuit angles
- Excellent hand usage to shed blocks, particularly effective with his rip and swim moves
- Demonstrated ability to create turnovers, with multiple forced fumbles in his college career
- Productive pass rusher who can convert speed to power, collapsing the pocket from multiple angles
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized for the position at 242 pounds, which may limit his effectiveness against bigger NFL tackles
- Needs to improve his anchor in the run game, can be moved off his spot by more powerful offensive linemen
- Tackling technique is inconsistent, leading to missed opportunities in the open field
- Can get caught overshooting his gap assignments, creating vulnerabilities in the run defense
- Still developing a complete arsenal of pass rush moves, relying heavily on his athleticism at times
Scouting Report: Summary
Powell-Ryland projects as a situational pass rusher with the potential to develop into an every-down player at the next level. His explosive first step and bend around the edge will translate well to the NFL, making him an immediate threat on passing downs.Scheme fit will be crucial for Powell-Ryland's success. He's best suited for a 3-4 system that allows him to play in space and utilize his athleticism. Teams running multiple fronts will value his versatility, potentially using him as a stand-up rusher or with his hand in the dirt.
While his size may limit him initially, Powell-Ryland's relentless motor and pass-rushing prowess give him a solid foundation to build upon. With proper coaching and continued physical development, he has the tools to become a productive edge defender in the NFL, particularly in sub-packages and obvious passing situations.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
448.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
75.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.