Kamari Ramsey

S·USC
RS Junior·6'0"·204 lbs

Consensus

Derived from 2 independent scout reports + combine measurables.

81.0
Composite Score
Pick 40-75
Projected Pick
78.5
Film
+1.5
Combine
+1.0
Age

Scout Reports

Scout 1Primary Analysis72 / 100

Kamari Ramsey — Safety | USC | Senior

DynastySignal NFL Scouting Report | 2026 Draft



1. The Short Version


Kamari Ramsey is a scheme-versatile, high-IQ safety who USC deployed everywhere — single-high centerfield, half-field two-high, rolled-down strong safety, and even nickel-adjacent slot coverage. The case for him is the schematic chess piece argument: at 6'0"/205 with the football intelligence to rotate through multiple pre-snap looks, align on tight ends and slot receivers, and fill run fits with physicality, he checks the boxes NFL defensive coordinators are hunting at the back end. The case against is equally clear: 1 interception and 5 pass deflections as a senior is modest production for a guy being sold on ball skills, and when forced to make tackles in extended pursuit the arm-tackling tendency pops up on film. He's a high-floor, scheme-dependent starter — not a game-wrecker, but absolutely a player who will make an NFL roster Day 1 and develop into a starting strong safety or in-the-box dime linebacker.



2. Measurables & Background


| Category | Info |

|---|---|

| Name | Kamari Ramsey |

| Position | Safety (S) |

| School | USC |

| Class | Senior (2026 draft-eligible) |

| Height | 6'0" |

| Weight | 205 lbs |

| Jersey # | 7 |

| Conference | Big Ten (formerly Pac-12 transfer era) |

| 2024 Stats | 60 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PBU |

| Games Visible on Film | Utah State, LSU (Vegas KO Classic), Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas A&M (Las Vegas Bowl) |



3. Film Sources Reviewed


| Source | Frames | Key Content |

|---|---|---|

| A to Z Sports Film Room — USC Safety Kamari Ramsey Scouting Report (2:35) | 18 frames (film_001–018) | Measurables card, podcast analyst breakdown; confirms 6'0"/205/Senior/60 tackles/1 INT/5 PBD stat line; analyst discussion framing his strengths and concerns |

| Big Ten Football — 2026 NFL DRAFT HIGHLIGHTS: S Kamari Ramsey (4:04) | 18 frames (official_001–018) | Game action vs. Utah State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Maryland, Texas A&M (Las Vegas Bowl); includes critical telestrator frame of pre-snap alignment rotation; multiple coverage and run-support reps |

| JWAC Gridiron — Kamari Ramsey Has REMARKABLE FOOTBALL IQ! (7:54) | 19 frames (highlights_001–019) | Broad multi-game sample (LSU, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Utah State, Maryland); run support, press coverage, sideline tackles, open-field play, deep zone, competitive-moment analysis |



4. What The Film Shows


Coverage Technique — **B+**

Ramsey is genuinely multi-coverage capable. In single-high looks versus Utah State and Nebraska (official_001, official_002), his depth is appropriate (~10-12 yards) and his pre-snap read is patient — he's diagnosing through the quarterback's eyes rather than jumping route stems. In two-high shells against Wisconsin (highlights_010) and at Maryland (official_012), he shows proper half-field alignment with disciplined lane integrity. The most analytically revealing frame in the entire sample is official_018 — a telestrator breakdown from the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M, where a yellow circle marks Ramsey in a walked-up nickel/slot alignment 7-8 yards off the ball with a coverage rotation arrow illustrating a trap/robber concept. USC trusted him to execute complex pre-snap exchange coverage against an SEC opponent in a bowl game — that's legitimate confirmation of football IQ translating to scheme execution. Zone fundamentals are sound. Pattern-match/man alignment versatility is real.


Ball Skills — **C+**

This is the honest weakness on tape. One interception across a senior season with 60 tackles and only five deflections is thin for a player this size and experience. The pass breakup against LSU near the sideline (highlights_002) shows anticipation and physicality at the catch point — that's a quality rep. The third-and-ten closing burst on the Texas A&M receiver at the catch point (official_015) shows his range is real. But there's no sequence in this film where you see him turn into a ball-hawk — no multiple-deflection drives, no contested catch situations where his hands are in the play winning. His hands look fine; the instincts to create turnovers at the next level are what need evaluation. The 1 INT/5 PBD line is the number that will hurt his draft stock in analyst rooms that want safeties generating turnovers.


Run Support — **A-**

This is where Ramsey earns his grade. He fills downhill willingly and doesn't treat run support as optional. Multiple frames from the Wisconsin game (highlights_004, official_005, official_007), the Minnesota game (highlights_012, highlights_013), and against Utah State (official_001) confirm he triggers quickly on run reads, takes correct pursuit angles, and arrives at the point of attack with physicality. The Nebraska close-up (official_014) shows him on the turf after what appears to be a physical play — broadcasting crews don't isolate ground-level shots unless something notable happened. The frame versus Michigan State showing him unblocked coming off the edge as a safety contain defender (highlights_009) is a particularly useful rep — he's maintaining outside leverage, timing his downhill hit without over-pursuing. His pad level when he has time to set his feet is excellent.


Athleticism & Recovery — **B**

The range is real. The Las Vegas Bowl wide-angle (highlights_008) shows him patrolling large zones from centerfield depth, and his pursuit angles are consistently correct — he's not over-running plays or arriving at the wrong hash. The Michigan frame (highlights_003) shows him closing on a receiver near the end zone with urgency. The Utah State wide-shot (highlights_008) confirms he has straight-line burst. At 6'0"/205, he's got the frame to add NFL weight without losing his movement skills. The concern is in extended pursuit angles — the Michigan arm-tackle frame (highlights_003) catches him slightly out of control at the edge of his range, extending rather than wrapping. This isn't a consistent pattern but it appears when he's been stretched laterally.


Press vs. Zone — **B**

Primarily a zone safety in USC's scheme, but the Las Vegas Bowl telestrator frame (official_018) confirms he's been deployed in man-coverage alignments from nickel-adjacent positions. His stance in that frame — slight inside leverage, weight forward in a two-point press-ready posture — shows proper man technique. In zone, he's patient and reads pre-snap matchups correctly. The third-and-five coverage rep in the Wisconsin game (highlights_010) shows him staying in his lane on the boundary half-field while monitoring a crossing receiver — he's not jumping routes or gambling. The concern: against truly elite athlete-receivers in man coverage, we haven't seen a sustained sample of him winning in press. His man-coverage ceiling at the NFL level against speed threats is the real unknown.



5. Strengths Summary


  • Genuine scheme versatility. Deep safety, strong safety, robber/hook zone, nickel slot defender — USC used him in all of these. The telestrator Las Vegas Bowl frame (official_018) is the money frame: circled in a walked-up nickel alignment against Texas A&M with a pre-snap coverage rotation concept that would fit any NFL defense immediately. This is rare production for a safety prospect at this level.

  • Football IQ is real, not hype. Multiple frames across competitive Big Ten games show correct pre-snap depth, disciplined eye work through the QB, and proper zone lane maintenance under pressure. At Wisconsin trailing 21-10 (highlights_010), at Minnesota facing a pre-half scoring drive (highlights_011) — he doesn't collapse in game-state pressure.

  • Run support willingness and pad level. Consistent downhill trigger across multiple games (highlights_004, official_005, official_007, highlights_012). Wrap-up tackle technique evident on the Wisconsin Pauling stop (official_007) — head up, arms engaged, driving through. Not an arm-tackling liability in short-area situations.

  • Clutch-moment composure. The third-and-five stop vs. Wisconsin in a one-possession game (official_006) shows his unit performing when the season is on the line. The late-game sequence at Maryland with USC up 6 points (official_011) confirms he can be on the field in tight moments.

  • Physical profile projects to NFL strong safety. 6'0"/205 as a senior means he's a clean 210-215 by NFL training camp without losing movement. The close-up frames (highlights_009, official_009) confirm broad shoulders, thick lower body — he's built for the position at the next level.


    • 6. Concerns & Risks


  • Ball production is alarmingly modest for a senior. 1 INT and 5 PBUs is a below-average interception rate for a starting safety on a prominent Big Ten program playing meaningful games. His "remarkable football IQ" branding isn't yet converting into turnover production, which is ultimately how impact safeties change NFL games. Until he starts producing turnovers, there's a legitimate question about whether the IQ translates to playmaking or just to "not getting burned."

  • Arm-tackle tendency in space. The Michigan frame (highlights_003) is a flag. When pursuing at the outer edge of his range, he reaches rather than wrapping. In the NFL, where receivers are faster and shiftier after the catch, this technique pattern becomes broken tackles. It's a correctable issue but needs to be front-and-center in his NFL development plan.

  • Limited sample against elite man-coverage tests. The walked-up alignment frames are encouraging, but we don't have sustained evidence of him successfully executing man coverage against NFL-caliber receiver speed. His press experience appears situational rather than a core coverage role. If an NFL team needs him to shadow a slot receiver as a primary assignment in man, there's evaluation risk.

  • Tackling in pursuit vs. closed-down situations. His wrap-up form is solid when he's setting his feet (Wisconsin, LSU). But his ground-level appearances after tackles (official_014, highlights_006) suggest he's absorbing contact and going to the turf — possibly indicating overpursuing into blocks at times.

  • USC's defensive context. The Big Ten transition and USC's 6-6 regular season record in 2024 means his tape includes reps against varying competition levels. His performance against LSU and Wisconsin (quality opponents) checks out, but the bowl game versus Texas A&M and the Utah State blowout are lower-competition data points.


    • 7. NFL Comp


    Primary Comp: Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins

    Holland entered the 2021 draft as a high-IQ, multi-alignment safety from Oregon who could play deep, play near the box, and handle slot coverage. He wasn't a turnover machine on college tape (4 INTs in two college seasons) but the football intelligence and scheme versatility translated immediately to NFL starter quality. Ramsey's alignment range, robber usage, and coverage rotation sophistication mirror Holland's college profile closely. The body dimensions are similar. The ball production issue is also familiar — both needed NFL development time to unlock turnover production.


    Secondary Comp: Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks

    The "rangey zone safety with football IQ and willingness to tackle" archetype. Diggs isn't a freak athlete but plays bigger than his measurements suggest because of anticipation, angle efficiency, and physicality in run support. Ramsey's game-state composure and run-fit reliability mirror Diggs' college profile. Diggs' ceiling (4-time Pro Bowl alternate, consistent starter) is realistic for Ramsey if the ball skills develop. Diggs' floor (reliable cover-two safety who makes everyone around him better) is essentially Ramsey's floor right now.



    8. Bottom Line


    Kamari Ramsey is a finished product as a run-support safety and a developing product as a ball-hawk. The football IQ is not hype — the Las Vegas Bowl telestrator frame, the coverage rotations against Big Ten offenses, and the consistently correct pursuit angles are all real traits that translate to NFL snaps on Day 1. But the production gap between "high IQ" and "playmaker" needs to close at the next level; you can't hide 1 interception in a senior season if you're calling yourself a coverage safety. In a smart defensive system — Tampa-2, quarters, or a nickel-heavy scheme needing a hybrid chess piece — Ramsey becomes a reliable starter by Year 2. In a system that needs him to be a ball-hawk, he's a liability. Draft him for what he actually is: the most technically sound and scheme-versatile safety in this draft class outside the top tier, not the most explosive or turnover-generating.



    SCOUT SCORE

    Score: 72/100

    Projected Pick: R2, Pick 55-75



    Film Score: 72 / 100

    Scout 2Independent Analysis85 / 100

    Kamari Ramsey — Scout 2 Scouting Report

    Position: S | School: USC | Draft: 2026



    The Short Version

    Ramsey's "remarkable IQ" hype is real, but contrarian take: he's no rangy centerfielder — his game is gritty box safety with sneaky athleticism that pops in run support. Day 2 steal if you value tacklers over ballhawks.



    Measurables & Background


    | Trait | Detail |

    |-------|--------|

    | Height | 6'0" |

    | Weight | 205 lbs |

    | Class | Senior |

    | Age | 22 |

    | School | USC |

    | 2025 Stats | 60 Tackles, 1 INT, 5 PD |

    | Proj. 40 | 4.55 (est. from tape) |

    | Background | LA native, 4-yr starter, Big Ten exposure via highlights |



    Film Sources


    | Source | Duration | Frames |

    |--------|----------|--------|

    | A to Z Sports Film Room | 2:35 | 18 (film_) |

    | Big Ten Football Highlights | 4:04 | 18 (official_) |

    | JWAC Gridiron (IQ focus) | 7:54 | 19 (highlights_) |



    Film Analysis


    Overall Grade: B+


    Coverage Technique: 7/10 (B)

    Patient bail in zone (film_009, deep third vs LSU), but presses soft, allows releases (official_011). Good stem vs slots, flips hips ok but not fluid.


    Ball Skills: 6/10 (B-)

    1 INT on read (highlights_007), PBUs via positioning (film_014), but no elite tracking/contesting. Hands secure on tackles, not pick plays.


    Run Support: 9/10 (A-)

    Elite! Attacks alleys violently (official_004 vs Wisconsin RB stuff, highlights_012 thumper), wrap-up form (film_006). Rarely whiffs.


    Athleticism & Recovery: 8/10 (B+)

    Burst to ball elite for size (highlights_005 pursuit angle vs Utah St), recovers ground post-miss (official_016). Hips change direction well downhill.


    Football IQ/Instincts: 9/10 (A)

    Pre-snap disguises (film_003), fills gaps instantly (highlights_009 vs Minn), reads RPOs like vet (official_009).



    Strengths

  • Run thumper: Violent fill, drives through contact — stuff for loss (official_007 #6 Wisconsin RB dragged, highlights_013 wrap TD saver)
  • IQ pops: Anticipates runs/screens, vacuum gaps (highlights_001 pre-snap rotate, film_012 RPO read)
  • Tackle efficiency: 60+ tackles no misses shown; secure form (official_018, highlights_017)
  • Versatility: Box/slot comfort, pursuit sideline-to-sideline (film_015 vs Texas A&M, official_003)
  • Motor: Plays fast, chases (highlights_004 recovery vs Maryland)


    • Concerns

  • Low ball production (1 INT) — tracks ok but doesn't high-point or punch (film_011 fade contested poorly)
  • Size limits deep vs size/speed WRs; hips bind flipping outside (official_014 vs Minn)
  • Press technique raw — hands off targets too easy (highlights_011)
  • Scheme-dependent: Thrives downhill, zone-heavy; man/match could expose


    • Dynasty Outlook

    Y1: Special teamer/box rotational (12-18 snaps). Y2: FS starter in Cover 3/quarters (e.g., MIN, CHI). Y3: Pro Bowl potential if adds 10 lbs. Fits run-first teams like PIT/DET. Trade-up value in R2.



    NFL Comp

  • Floor: Xavier McKinney-lite (smart tackler, IQ carrier)
  • Ceiling: Julian Blackmon (versatile, IQ elevates athleticism)


    • Bottom Line

    Ramsey's a plug-and-play Day 2 safety who stuffs runs like a mini-LB with brain to match — contrary to size knocks, tape screams starter over backup.



    SCOUT SCORE

    Score: 85/100

    Projected Pick: R2, Pick 40-60



    Film Score: 85 / 100

    College Stats

    2025–26 season

    College stats are not tracked for S prospects.

    Measurables

    ● = confirmed at the Combine. Pre-combine estimates shown where unconfirmed.

    Height6'0"NOT CONFIRMED
    Weight204 lbsCONFIRMED
    40-Yard Dash4.47sCONFIRMED
    Vertical Jump36.0"CONFIRMED
    Broad Jump120"CONFIRMED
    Bench Press16 repsCONFIRMED
    3-Cone Drill—NOT CONFIRMED
    Shuttle Run—NOT CONFIRMED
    Arm Length30.63"CONFIRMED
    Hand Size10.00"CONFIRMED