Ourlads' Profile:
2026 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about XAVIER NWANKPA:
Iowa | Hometown: Pleasant Hill, IA | HT: 6023 | WT: 207 | 40 time: 4.48 | Hand: 0800 | Arm: 3058 | Wing: 7538
Three-year starter. Third-team All-Big 10 this past season. Proven successful in both one and two-high coverage schemes in Iowa's defense. Played in every game of his collegiate career, never missing a game due to injury. Big, well-built safety prospect with solid length and plenty of muscle definition. Impressive athleticism for his size helps him work around the field both from depth and underneath. Considerable range to hold up on the back end in one-high and two-high schemes. Quality hip fluidity to turn and run with receivers downfield. Quick trigger with solid processing skills to rain down on plays underneath him. Takes away threats underneath. Mans up against bigger tight ends using tough collisions and length to stay in-phase. Excels closer to the line-of-scrimmage skills whether in coverage or in the box. An asset in run defense with his physical playstyle and violent temperament. Fills the alley like a missile looking to demolish ball carriers. Destroys blocks with an aggressive engagement to knock receivers back. Reliable tackler in space who uses his strength, aggression, and technique to bring runners down. Takes runners' heads off with a violent collision; plays with no remorse. Special teams standout who can make an impact at the next level with his size and athleticism. Can get his eyes stuck in the backfield and allow receivers to get behind him. Difficulty closing distance when receivers separate. Fringe ball skills; some difficulty reading quarterback cues and struggles to locate the ball in the air. Takes too strong of angles to the ball allowing receivers to juke him easily.
2025 Stats: 76 T, 1 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 FF, 1 INT. OSR:7/15. VJ-37.5. Draft projection: 6th/7th round