Darrell Luter Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report

CB, South Alabama Jaguars

South Alabama’s Darrell Luter Jr. might be a small-school prospect but he plays big. Luter Jr. has been one of the most productive corners in the country in recent seasons and he looks to make the jump from small-school ball to the NFL. 

As a prospect, Luter Jr. offers good size, outstanding length, and is an above-average athlete. He aligns as an outside corner in South Alabama’s defense and is very strong in coverage. Luter Jr. is an outstanding zone corner who flashes excellent instincts, awareness, and ball skills. He is able to read route combinations and is able to get a good jump on the football because he often knows where the receiver will end up while he is still on his route. Luter Jr. is a smooth and fluid player in zone drops and is excellent at reading the quarterback’s eyes while also dropping in his zone. He understands how to pass receivers off and pick up receivers who enter his zone and his length creates tight passing windows. His length is also an asset at the catch point where he is very competitive and is able to bat the ball down. 

Luter Jr. is excellent at playing football in the air and will be able to come down with interceptions. As a man defender, Luter Jr. utilizes his length to jam receivers down the stem and disrupt timing for the quarterback. As just an above-average athlete, Luter Jr. will struggle when faced with playing man coverage against NFL receivers who are just more explosive than he is. Luter Jr. shows some tightness at the breakpoint and receivers can separate laterally from him. Additionally, Luter Jr. has just average long speed and faster receivers can win vertically down the field. He is a tough and rugged player in the run game and is definitely a willing tackler. 

Overall, Luter Jr. has starting-level ability at the next level but he will maximize his talent in a zone-based scheme where he can develop into a solid starter in the NFL.

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Length 
• Ball skills
• Instincts

Top Reasons For Concern:

• Short-area quickness
• Long speed
• Man coverage

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 0”

Weight: 189 lbs

Arm Length: 32 3/8”

Hand Size: 10 3/8”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 4.46s

Vertical Jump: 40.5”

Broad Jump: 10′ 3”

Short-Shuttle: 4.43s

Three-Cone: 6.90s

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: No. 3 corner who can develop into a starting outside corner

Scheme Fit: Zone-based scheme that runs primarily Cover 3

Prospect Comparison: Prince Amukamara

TDN Consensus Grade: 76.50/100 (Third-Round Value)

• Weissman Grade: 76.50/100

Written By: Brentley Weissman

Exposures: UCLA (2022), Troy (2022), Central Michigan (2022)

Darrell Luter Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report. Add him to your big board here.