Will Echoles, DL, Mississippi: 2027 NFL Draft Prospect Profile & Scouting Report
1. General Information
|
Name |
Will Echoles |
|
Position |
Defensive Lineman |
|
Number |
52 |
|
Class |
Junior |
|
School |
Ole Miss |
|
Height / Weight |
6’3″ / 315 lbs |
|
Hometown / HS |
Houston, Miss. / Houston HS |
2. Career Statistical Breakdown
Defensive Performance & Pass Rush Production
|
Season |
Team |
G |
Tackles |
TFL |
Sacks |
FF / FR |
|
2024 |
Ole Miss |
8 |
9 |
2.0 |
0.5 |
0 / 0 |
|
2025 |
Ole Miss |
15 |
66 |
11.5 |
5.0 |
0 / 0 |
|
Total |
23 |
75 |
13.5 |
5.5 |
0 / 0 |
3. NFL Combine Testing Projections
Projected metrics for the 2027 NFL Draft cycle based on historic verified twitch traits, short-area leverage numbers, and high school linear power indicators.
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.95 – 5.08s
- Vertical Jump: 28.5″ – 30.5″
- Broad Jump: 8’10” – 9’2″
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.50 – 4.64s
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.48 – 7.65s
4. Scouting & Transfer Notes
Background Profile
Echoles arrived in Oxford as an incredibly decorated in-state recruit out of Houston High School, choosing Lane Kiffin’s Rebels over a long list of prominent SEC suitors. A dominant high school player on both sides of the ball, he logged over 25 pancake blocks on offense while simultaneously wreaking havoc defensively. Echoles earned instant playing time as a true freshman in 2024, showing premium efficiency over 8 reserve appearances.
He completely exploded on the national stage as a true sophomore in 2025, solidifying a starting spot and registering 66 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. His breakout campaign reached its apex at the Caesars Superdome, where he claimed Defensive MVP honors in a thrilling 39-34 Sugar Bowl playoff victory over Georgia. Entering the 2026 season as an established All-SEC anchor, Echoles is graded by NFL scouting departments as a premier interior foundational piece for the 2027 NFL Draft cycle.
Key Strengths
- Premium SEC Trench Density: Carries an exceptionally solid, broad-shouldered 315-pound frame that absorbs physical down-blocks and double-teams without yielding yardage.
- Elite Power and Run-Stuffing Anchor: Showcases elite lower-body leverage habits, squeezing down space effortlessly in interior A and B gaps to stall inside zone threats.
- Plus Pass-Rushing Upside: Displays a highly efficient bull rush and a persistent secondary counter move, bringing pressure on nearly 10% of his career pass-rushing snaps.
- Big-Game Clutch Performance: Thrives on high-volume, premier platforms; saved his most complete football for the College Football Playoff stage against national championship contenders.
Developmental Focus
While Echoles commands an elite, NFL-ready interior frame, professional talent evaluators will closely track his technical refinement across his upcoming junior evaluation campaign. Scouts would like to see enhanced down-by-down finish mechanics inside the box to improve his missed-tackle consistency when pulling away from block-extension paths. Additionally, showing sustained, high-frequency snap motor durability as the primary focal point of Pete Golding’s re-tooled defensive line will cement his projection as a premier, plug-and-play three-down interior anchor.
Draft Countdown Film Notes
*pending*
All-Star Game Notes
*pending*
Combine/Pro Day Measurables
*pending*