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 Miami (FL) DL David Blay Jr.
No. 11 David Blay Jr./DL Miami (FL) – 6023, 341 pounds (Fifth-Year Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
David Blay 6023/292 10 1/4 32 78
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
5.08 1.74 4.81 7.69
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
8’02” N/A 27
* Pro Day Results
The Good
-Strong run defender
-Good gap control
-Fights through contact
-Plays with low pad level
-Strong motor
-Quick
The Bad
-Needs to develop a better pass-rush plan
-Can struggle against bigger linemen
-Hand usage needs to improve
-Play recognition needs work
-Needs to find ways to win other than with his speed/occasional bull rush
Stats
-Career: 35 games, 90 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass defensed
-2025: 13 games, 28 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, one pass defensed
-Pro Football Focus: 2025: 70.0 overall grade, 74.7 run defense grade, 66.3 pass-rush grade
-991 career snaps, 10.4% missed-tackle rate, 14 hurries
-39 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and five sacks at Division II West Chester in 2022
Injury History
-Missed three games in 2025 with undisclosed injury
Bio
-Graduate from Harry S. Truman H.S. in eastern Pennsylvania
-Began career at D2 West Chester before transferring to La. Tech
-Spent two seasons at La. Tech, transferred to Miami in 2025
-2024 All-CUSA first team
-Participant in 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl
-Was one of three players who played in national championship game to participate in at least one Shrine Bowl practice
-Credited Miami DL coach Damione Lewis for helping grow his game
-“Dream scenario” is to play for hometown Philadelphia Eagles
-Earned Bachelor’s degree in American studies
-Donated $7,000 to his youth football program, Lower Bucks Outlaws
Tape Breakdown
Blay is a strong run defender and that shows up all over his tape. He’s able to control gaps and get after the ball carrier. He had a strong Miami debut against Notre Dame, including a tackle for a loss on CJ Carr.
At times, Blay’s hand placement can lead to him getting pushed back. While he does a good job fighting to at least occupy his gap here, his normally low pad level is too high because his hands fire out too high.
Blay is a high-motor player who not only will chase the ball downfield but keeps fighting through blocks. Here, he’s able to get off a block late to make a nice play.
He controls a gap here while his linebackers fill and make the play. That’s one area where I felt Blay was consistently solid.
He does a good job here occupying a double-team and getting off it to make a tackle.
One pretty big area concern is Blay’s pass-rushing ability. If he wins with speed off the snap, he can sometimes find his way into the backfield. But too often, he doesn’t win and allows himself to get stood up. He doesn’t really have many counters or showed off too many pass-rush moves. He’ll either win with his speed or try to win with his bull rush. He finished with zero sacks in 2025.
A funky formation, but Blay takes on two defenders and uses a swim to make the play before the linebacker can fill. If Blay incorporated more of a swim or a snatch and trap or pull into his game, he could be more effective overall.
He just finds himself getting stood up and not making himself a presence in the passing game too often.
Conclusion
Blay is a player who could develop his game more with NFL coaching. He has the traits to be a good run defender, though I do think he could afford to add a few pounds to work on the interior at the NFL level. However, his quickness is one of his better traits, but he’s overly reliant on being quick and doesn’t have a pass-rush plan or enough reliable moves to become a true difference maker. I do think he can work as a rotational run defender, but he needs to become much more consistent against the pass to really be effective.
My NFL comp is Jordan Elliott.
NFL Draft Projection: Late Day 3
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 6.6 (pure backup)
Grade Range: 6.3-7.5Games Watched: vs. Notre Dame (2025), vs. Louisville (2025), at Texas A&M (2025), vs. Syracuse (2025)
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