T'Vondre Sweat Defensive Tackle Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report (2024)

Draft Profile: Bio

Emerging from the heart of Texas football, this player made an indelible mark on the Longhorns' defensive line. Starting his journey in 2019, he quickly adapted to college football's rigors, participating in 13 games and marking his presence with 6 tackles and 4 stops. His sophom*ore year saw a significant leap in performance, playing in 10 games, amassing 13 tackles, and showcasing his pass-rushing abilities with 11 total pressures and a sack. The upward trajectory continued through his junior and senior years, culminating in a standout fifth year with 25 tackles, 25 stops, and a notable increase in total pressures to 28, including 2 sacks, across 13 games. This progression reflects a player who not only honed his craft but became a cornerstone of the Longhorns' defense.

In 2021 as a junior Sweat played in 12 games and contributed on 315 snaps. He recorded 13 tackles, 14 assists while making 11 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 3 total pressures, which included 2 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack on the year.

In 2022 as a senior Sweat logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 425 snaps for the Longhorns. He also added 20 tackles, 11 assists, and 14 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 21 total pressures, which included 18 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and no sacks on the season.

In 2023 as a fifth year senior Sweat logged playing time in 13 games and logged a total of 462 snaps for the Longhorns. He also added 25 tackles, 13 assists, and 25 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 28 total pressures, which included 23 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.

Honors & awards

• 2023 Outland Trophy

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Classic dominating space-eating run defender. Commands attention with his huge frame, making him a formidable presence against the run and difficult to move off the point of attack.
• Exhibits superior upper-body strength, enabling him to engage and disengage from blockers with ease and disrupt offensive lines.
• Efficient at absorbing double-teams, maintaining gap integrity even when facing increased pressure.
• Demonstrates good burst and leverage off the snap, hinting at potential disruptive capabilities in the backfield.
• Employs active hands effectively to bat down passes and disrupt passing lanes when unable to reach the quarterback.
• His strength and technique allow him to be a consistent one-gapper, capable of closing running lanes and anchoring against the run.
• Boasts a relentless motor and energy, contributing significantly to his ability to finish plays and demand double-teams.
• Shows glimpses of pass-rushing potential with the ability to employ powerful moves and generate torque against single blockers.

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Lacks explosive acceleration off the line, limiting his initial impact as a pass rusher.
• Tendency to rise out of his stance, diminishing leverage and effectiveness against seasoned offensive linemen.
• Hands can be late and ineffective at times, allowing opponents to gain the upper hand in engagements.
• Has yet to develop a signature pass-rush move that translates consistently at the NFL level.
• Conditioning is a concern, with a notable drop in performance as games progress.

Scouting Report: Summary

Sweat's size and strength, hallmarks of his college career, translate well into the pro game. As a run-stopper, his capacity to absorb double-teams and maintain gap integrity will be invaluable for teams facing run-heavy offenses. Moreover, his knack for batting down passes and collapsing the pocket, even without elite sack numbers, indicates a player who can impact the game beyond statistical measures. Teams in need of bolstering their run defense will likely view him as a major asset from day one.

However, his evolution into a more rounded defensive lineman will hinge on addressing noted weaknesses, particularly in pass rush technique and conditioning. The NFL level demands not just brute strength but also finesse and stamina, areas where he has room for improvement. Developing a more effective pass-rushing arsenal, including quicker hand usage and the introduction of counter moves, could significantly enhance his value on third downs.

Looking ahead, the player's draft stock positions him as a valuable pick for teams seeking to solidify their interior defense. His sheer physical presence and run-stopping capabilities make him an easy choice in the early rounds, with a ceiling as a pro-bowl player and a floor as a rotational piece in specialized packages. As the NFL continues to value versatility and adaptability, his potential for development could see him evolve into a key component of a defensive front, particularly for teams that need to upgrade their run defense.

How other scouting services rate T'Vondre Sweat (Overall Rank)

*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.