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 Notre Dame S Jalen Stroman.
No. 7 Jalen Stroman/S/Notre Dame – 6003, 203 pounds (R-Senior)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Jalen Stroman 6003/203 8 7/8″ 31 5/8″ 76 1/4″
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.73 1.67 4.41 7.18
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’03” 36″ 14
The Good
– Good eye discipline and instincts
– Solid mental processing
– Decisive trigger downhill
– Solid short-area burst
– Willing and physical in run support
– Physical at the catch point
– Good competitive toughness
The Bad
– Very limited long speed and range as a deep safety
– Prone to grabbing players or illegal contact
– Tendency to dive at feet to chop down ball carriers
– Aggressive angles backfire at times
– Wasted steps and clunky footwork transitioning out of backpedal or changing direction; stiff hips
Stats
– Career: 148 total tackles (5 TFL), 1 sack, 1 INT, 6 passes defensed, 2 FFs, 1 defensive TD in 48 games played
– 2025: 37 total tackles (3 TFL), 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 passes defensed, 1 defensive TD in 12 games played
– Career snaps: 1,131 on defense (strong mix between FS, SS, slot), 357 on special teams (five units)
– 2025: 333 on defense (191 FS, 102 SS, 33 slot)
– Pro Football Focus: allowed 27 receptions on 37 targets for 381 yards and two TDs, 24 missed tackles, 7 penalties in college career
Injury History
– Missed almost entire 2024 season with shoulder injury that required surgery
– Underwent a second surgery in early 2025 after the initial one didn’t heal properly
Bio
– Turned 22 in March
– Originally a three-star prospect out of Patriot High School in Bristow, Va.
– Spent four years at Virginia Tech before transferring to Notre Dame
– All-district DB and WR in high school
– Senior Bowl participant
– Older brother Greg Stroman Jr. has been in the NFL since 2018
Tape Breakdown
Stroman’s best trait is his aggressiveness coming downhill. He has good eyes, a quick trigger, and he isn’t afraid to throw his body around. As a result, sometimes he doesn’t use proper tackling technique and dives at ankles or lowers his shoulder instead of wrapping up.
The risk taking can backfire at times, especially with his limited athleticism overall. He tried to undercut a route for a pick-six and instead allowed a touchdown going the other way. By the time he realized, he had no chance of catching up with slow change of direction and recovery speed.
In general though, Stroman’s eye discipline is pretty good. He sees the field well, reads the quarterback, and closes on receivers to tackle the catch.
The lack of long speed really shows up when he’s playing free safety and rolling coverage to help his corners deep. The only reason he catches up to the play on both of the below clips is because the pass is underthrown. His ball skills are a mixed bag, Stroman sometimes timing his hit well to break things up, but other times whiffing entirely.
His lack of hip fluidity and footwork makes him prone to grabbing receivers. He didn’t get flagged for it as much as he should have in college. He might not have the same luck in the NFL.
When Stroman needs to take on blocks, he can. He did a nice job here of shedding the block and showed good short-area burst to close on the tackle.
Conclusion
Stroman is a smart and experienced defensive back who wins with physicality and instincts. He has good eye discipline, triggers downhill well, and isn’t afraid to throw his body around. His lack of long speed, hip fluidity, and footwork will make it difficult for him to succeed on defense in the NFL, but he could be a very solid special teamer if nothing else. His versatility in the secondary increases his chances of carving out a role in the right system.
My NFL comp for him is Jordan Dangerfield.
NFL Projection: Late Day 3
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 6.1MED (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 5.9-6.6
Games Watched: at Miami (2025), vs. Texas A&M (2025), at Arkansas (2025), at Pitt (2025)
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