Jaylen Twyman NFL Draft Scouting Report

DT, Pitt

Update: Jaylen Twyman Vikings. The Minnesota Vikings stole Jalen Twyman in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Intro

Today I want to dedicate some time and attention to the red-shirt Junior DT from the University of Pittsburgh, Jaylen Twyman. First, I must admit I am a bit of a fan boy and probably driving this band wagon. However, I do have my reasons and I will not back down from them. Jaylen Twyman is going to be a great NFL player and hopefully, for your sake, he ends up on your team.

The Early Years

Jaylen chose to opt out of the 2020 NCAA football season, but long before that a man was being made. Twyman was raised in the housing projects of Washington D.C. His father was incarcerated for most of his childhood. He lost his uncle to a drive by shooting when he had just turned 15 years old. After that he lost his brother a year later. As a result, he honors his uncle with a tattoo which bears his name, Dexter. On those same arms are the words “Loyalty” and “Ambition.” These are things I look for in a player and the word ambition fits this young man to a T. He truly wants to be the very best, and you can see it in the way he trains and prepares for everything.

As a prospect coming out of high school, he was a three star lineman and ended up making his way to Pitt to play at the alma matter of NFL great Aaron Donald. He even wears the same number, 97. Because of this, a teammate even refers to him as “baby AD.” Aaron Donald often works out at the university and trains with the defensive line group. Twyman has taken advantage of this time and soaked up everything he can from Donald. For instance he gets advice on watching film and breaking down opponents, to hand work and exercise routines, you can find film of them working out together on his social media accounts.

The Breakout

All that listening and hard work payed off as a sophomore when Twyman almost duplicated Aaron Donald’s sophomore season by putting up 41 tackles, 12 TFL, 10.5 sacks. Because of that he earned him First-team All-ACC honors, as well as being named second team All-American. His on field efforts are mirrored by his efforts off the field. While he may have sat out during 2020, he most definitely was not sitting around.

Scouting Report

One of the concerns scouts had regarding him was his lack of size for an interior defender. He weighed in around 285-290 and teams were concerned whether he had the strength to play with NFL lineman day in and day out, though they could just look at the ability of his mentor AD. He silenced doubters at his recent pro day when he weighed in just over 300 lbs. and benched 225 lbs. 40 times. As a result, I would not question this young man or his desire whatsoever.

He has all the tools needed to excel in the NFL. Most importantly he has the heart, determination, and will to be one of the best if not the best. That determination will set him apart from his colleagues. His story reminds me of 49ers great Patrick Willis. We all know he turned out to be a phenomenal NFL player too. In my opinion Twyman deserves to have his name called in Cleveland, OH on the night of April 29th. However he will probably have to wait another night. All I can say to all the teams that pass on him, “Beware!”