Caden Curry

NFL Draft Profile: Caden Curry

Position: Defensive End / EDGE | School: Ohio State | Class: Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 260 lbs | Archetype: Balance

College Career Summary

Caden Curry's career at Ohio State is the quintessential story of patience meeting opportunity. After spending three seasons in a rotational role behind established stars JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, Curry took over as a primary starter in 2025 and authored one of the most productive senior breakouts in recent Big Ten history. Known in Columbus as a "culture setter," Curry transformed from a high-energy depth piece into a statistical juggernaut, leading the Big Ten in tackles for loss for much of the season. He concluded his regular season with 11.0 sacks and 16.5 TFLs, proving that his compact frame was more than compensated for by an elite motor and advanced hand technique coached by Larry Johnson.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 53 (First full season as starter in 2025)

• Total Tackles: 114 (60 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 32.0 (16.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 15.0 (11.0 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 3 (1 in 2025)

• Special Teams Snaps: 300+ (A rare 4-core special teams contributor at DE)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Texas	6 Tkl	B	Solid edge setting; limited pass rush impact against elite OTs.
vs. Grambling St.	4 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	A-	Acceleration was too much for FCS level; dominant snaps.
vs. Ohio	4 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	B+	Consistent pressure; showed high Play Recognition.
@ Washington	11 Tkl, 3.0 Sacks, 5 TFL	A+	Season Best. A "hall of fame" performance on the road.
vs. Minnesota	4 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B	Controlled the edge; forced run plays back inside.
@ Illinois	2 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	B+	High Motor play; chased down QB from the backside.
@ Wisconsin	3 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	A-	Physical Tools on display; bullied the RT in a shutout win.
vs. Penn State	3 Tkl	B-	Struggled with PSU's quick-game; one missed tackle.
@ Purdue	1 Tkl, 1 FF	B	Forced a critical fumble despite low stat volume.
vs. UCLA	5 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B+	High Stamina game; played heavy snaps in the rotation.
vs. Rutgers	6 Tkl, 2.0 Sacks	A	Attributes highlight; showcased a refined spin move.
@ Michigan	4 Tkl	B	Gritty, physical "The Game" performance; selfless gap play.
B1G Champ: Indiana	7 Tkl, 2.0 Sacks	A	Leadership. Carried the front in a tough neutral site loss.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Leverage and Power: Despite lacking "prototypical" size, Curry plays with a low center of gravity. His Strength allows him to get under the pads of 320lb tackles and "walk them back" into the pocket.

• Technique: He is a graduate of "Larry Johnson's D-Line University." His hand-fighting is violent and precise; he rarely allows blockers to get into his chest.

• Non-Stop Motor: His High Motor is arguably the best in the class. He is a "whistle-to-whistle" player who makes as many plays in pursuit as he does at the line of scrimmage.

• Versatility: Has the IQ and frame to slide inside to 3-technique on obvious passing downs, creating mismatches against slower interior guards.

Weaknesses

• Lack of Length: Curry is "compact" (some scouts clock his arms at under 32 inches). Elite NFL tackles with long reach may be able to neutralize him if they land their punch first.

• High-End Twitch: He is more of a "grinder" than a "burner." While his Acceleration is good, he lacks the elite, scary "dip-and-rip" bend seen in top-10 edge prospects.

• Positional "Tweener": Some teams may struggle with his fit; he’s a bit light for a full-time 4-3 DE but lacks the lateral Agility for a 3-4 OLB drop-coverage role.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 4-3 Strongside DE or a 3-4 5-Technique in a heavy-rotation front.

NFL Comparison: Sam Hubbard / Maxx Crosby (Stylistic motor)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 90/100

Caden Curry is the player that NFL coaches love and scouts initially overlook. He doesn't look like an "Asgardian" in the tunnel, but he is a nightmare once the ball is snapped. His 2025 tape, particularly against Washington and Indiana, proves he can be the lead dog on an elite defense. His value as a 4-core special teams player and his "plus" run defense give him a incredibly high floor. While he may lack the physical ceiling of a Matayo Uiagalelei, Curry is a "day one" starter who will likely lead his team in TFLs for a decade.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round (High Priority)