From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Youngstown State WR Max Tomczak.
No. 4 Max Tomczak/WR Youngstown State – 5107, 194 pounds (Redshirt Senior)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Max Tomczak 5107/194 9 30 71 3/4
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.51 N/A 4.01 6.70
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
9’4″ 34.5 12
*Pro Day Results
THE GOOD
– Fluid and smooth route runner
– Sharp at the top of his route and able to shake cornerbacks
– Reliable target with elite hands, chain mover, and go-to in critical moments/possession downs
– Makes tough catches with defenders on him, fearless over the middle
– Tracks the ball well on vertical throws to bring it in
– Inside/outside versatility and used all over the formation
– Effective on double-moves, sets up and sells his routes well
– Willing blocker with run game effort
– Punt return experience
– Flashes the ability to reach outside his frame to make grabs over the middle
– Good overall production
– Football bloodlines
– Durable and available
The Bad
– Small frame with average/below-average hand size
– Lacks vertical speed to stack corners over the top
– Easily overpowered as a blocker and struggles to stick
– Out contested on vertical throws, outmuscled, and boxed out
– Has trouble making plays above his head
– Frame/strength likely tickets him to slot at next level
– Isn’t potent in the open field with minimal break tackle ability
Stats
– Career: 225 receptions (school record) for 3,024 yards (13.4 YPR), and 15 touchdowns across 49 games; 22 punt returns for 6.0 YPR (long of 14)
– 2025: 70 receptions for 1,021 yards (14.6 YPR), and eight touchdowns across 13 games; 10 punt returns for 5.1 YPR (long of 12)
– 2,705 career offensive snaps (2,069 slot, 591 wide)
– 2025: 860 offensive snaps (451 slot, 400 wide)
– PFF’s No. 17 overall WR grade in 2025 among 105 qualifiers (No. 17 receiving grade, No. 1 hands/drop grade; No. 2 across FBS and FCS only behind Malachi Toney)
– Zero drops last two seasons on 143 receptions (one of five 2025 FBS/FCS players with zero drops, 97 targets most among group)
– 19 broken tackles last two combined seasons
– 8.9 ADOT in 2024, 14.4 in 2025
– Pair of three touchdown performances in 2025 (South Dakota State, Yale)
Injury History
– No known injury history
Bio
– Age unconfirmed
– Zero-star recruit from Frankfort, Illinois
– His only college offer came from Valparaiso and was later rescinded
– Light recruit partly due to COVID that shifted his senior season from fall to spring
– Tomczak and friends flooded coaches with texts and recruiting pitches, one of which was sent to YSU’s WRs Coach Josh Sinagoga, and the school made him a preferred walk-on
– Earned scholarship ahead of the 2022 season
– Uncle is former Steelers/NFL QB Mike Tomczak, who served as YSU’s volunteer assistant coach
– Went 46-straight games with a reception, a school record
– First-team all-conference in 2024 and 2025
– Participated in YSU’s and Ohio State’s Pro Day
– Grandfather, Ron, served as a long-time coach at nearby T.F. North High School in Illinois
– Father, Steve, played football at Lincoln-Way East, where Max would later play
– HS coach called him the team’s hardest worker and “our Wes Welker”
– Helped lead HS team to undefeated season and state title as a junior
Tape Breakdown
Max Tomczak went from a total high school unknown to leaving Youngstown State as arguably its best, most productive receiver ever. Though not particularly big, Tomczak is extremely sure-handed. Underneath or finding the ball downfield, the ball sits in his hands. Watch him track the ball on the upfield shoulder in the first clip.
He’s tough, too, making catches over the middle and moving the chains on possession downs. Cut-ups of all of the above.
He runs good, smooth routes, doing his best work within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. Vertically, he can make plays when the ball is in front. But in true jump ball situations, he typically loses.
As a blocker, Tomczak gives good effort. But he struggles to get the job done. Defenders run through his blocks with ease.
His small stature and small-school background will predictably work against him. It was good to see him make plays against Michigan State in 2025, finishing with 7 receptions for 77 yards. Some of that came late with the outcome decided, but he still produced.
Conclusion
Overall, Max Tomczak had a consistent and excellent college career. His lack of size and FCS standing are concerns, and he’s a slot player at the next level. But his fluid route-running, A-plus hands, and overall toughness are NFL-caliber. He’s worth signing as an undrafted free agent to compete for a spot on a 53-man roster or practice squad.
Naturally, he’ll draw comparisons to Julian Edelman or Wes Welker, but my NFL comp is Griff Whalen, a former college walk-on who spent five years in the NFL with three career touchdowns.
NFL Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Steelers Depot Grade: 6.4 (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 5.6-6.8
Games Watched: at Michigan State (2025), vs Mercyhurst (2025), vs South Dakota State (2025), TD Cut-ups
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