Olakunle Fatukasi Scouting Report and Draft Profile

Linebacker, Rutgers University #3

Olakunle Fatukasi Scouting Report Measurements

6’2”/240lbs

Arms: 33 2/8”

Hands: 9 4/8”

Wingspan: 78 2/8”

40 time: 4.78sec

Bench Press: 21 reps

Vertical: 38

Broad Jump: 122

Short Shuttle: 4.3secs

3-Cone: 6.75secs

Olakunle Fatukasi NFL Draft Profile

Olakunle Fatukasi was a consensus three-star recruit coming out of the state of New York in 2016. He attended Grand Street Campus High School where, as a senior, he helped the team reach a 7-5 record. Fatukasi helped lead the team to an appearance in the PSAL City Conference semifinals. During his senior season, Fatukasi racked up 131 tackles, five sacks, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. His tremendous performance earned him First Team All-New York by USA Today, First Team All-Metro First Team Defense by MSG Varsity, and First Team All-Brooklyn by the Brooklyn Daily. Along with those accomplishments, Fatukasi would go on to be the No. 1 ranked outside linebacker in the Empire State by Rivals. He was also named a top-10 prospect in New York by ESPN. On signing day he would decide to stay close to home and play for Rutgers University.

College Career

Faukasi had a slow start to his college career as a Scarlet Knight. He made his name known on special teams as a kickoff coverage player before earning a starting spot in his junior year. Once he earned his starting position, Faukasi became the leader of the defense and put the nation on notice with his style of play. He was also voted Team Captain two years in a row. As a starter from 2019-to 2021, he recorded 275 tackles, six sacks, six pass deflections, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His performance over those three seasons earned him spots on multiple All-Conference teams, and he was a two-time semifinalist for the Butkus Award.

Olakunle Fatukasi Strengths

Vision/Awareness

After watching tape on Faukasi, the one trait that stands out to me is his vision. He consistently displays the ability to find his way to the football and tackle the ball carrier. Faukasi also displays the awareness to work his way around the traffic and stay focused on where the ball carrier is going. He shows no wasted motion when he is working his way towards the football. His adequate lateral skills and agility make it somewhat easier for him to avoid oncoming blockers.

Pursuit/Secure Tackler

Faukasi has good speed for a linebacker, and he uses it well. His speed allows him to pursue the football all over the field no matter where it is going. The pursuit angles by Faukasi helped him make plays consistently. What made me more intrigued about Faukasi’s style of play was his ability to secure tackles by using proper form. He rarely missed a tackle on film. When he had his hands on the ball carrier, you can pretty much expect them to go to the ground.  

Versatile

The trait that will help Faukasi the most in the NFL is his versatility. He has shown on tape that he is able to cover running backs out of the backfield and tight ends going up the seam. Faukasi also is an effective blitzer. On a MIKE linebacker blitz, he can be very effective getting to the quarterback and disrupting the play in the backfield.

Olakunle Fatukasi Weaknesses

Play Recognition Speed

Faukasi has great vision and awareness when it comes to finding and pursuing football. What can get him in trouble is his play recognition and reaction time at the snap of the ball. He tends to get his eyes caught in the backfield, which makes him vulnerable to the play-action pass. His late timing can also cause him to not execute his assignment correctly.

Block Shedding 

On tape, Faukasi struggled to shed blocks against bigger offensive linemen. Most of the time, it was due to him taking on blocks with his shoulder rather than his hands. He does need to improve his strength, but improving his technique would help more. 

COD (Change of Direction) Skills

Below average change of direction ability can cause Faukasi to lose balance in the open field. This will lead him to occasionally miss tackles against a more agile opponent. It also may cause him to be late in pursuing the ball. 

Olakunle Fatukasi Draft Stock

Faukasi is a late-round prospect that can make an early impact on special teams to start his career and gradually work his way into the starting lineup. He has the potential to eventually step in and lead a defense as a MIKE linebacker.

Final Thoughts on Olakunle Fatukasi NFL Draft Scouting Report

Faukasi is the definition of a player that is not afraid work hard and do anything to help the team out. That work ethic will take him far in the NFL. He is better suited to play in a 4-3 defense, lining up as either the MIKE or WILL linebacker position. As mentioned before, he will start his career on special teams, but he can make a huge impact later down the road in his career.

NFL Comparison

Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell.

Olakunle Fatukasi Scouting Report Analyst-Michael Williams.