Domonique Orange

NFL Draft Profile: Domonique Orange

Position: Defensive Tackle (Nose Tackle) | School: Iowa State | Class: Senior

Height: 6'4" | Weight: 325 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper

College Career Summary

Domonique Orange, affectionately known as "Big Citrus," arrived in Ames as a high-profile recruit who once tipped the scales at over 400 lbs in high school. Through elite discipline, he transformed his physique into a rock-solid 325-pound frame that allowed him to play nearly double the snaps of his freshman year. A mainstay on the Iowa State interior for four seasons, Orange earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors in three consecutive years (2023–2025). While he never produced gaudy box-score numbers, his value as an immovable anchor in Matt Campbell’s 3-3-5 and 3-4 looks was undeniable. He leaves Iowa State as one of the most respected "dirty work" defenders in the conference.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50

• Total Tackles: 66

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 7.0

• Sacks: 1.0

• 2025 Production: 18 Tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 PD, 4 QB Hurries

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
North Dakota	1 Tackle	B	Solid in season debut; kept the middle clean.
@ Iowa	6 Tackles	A	Season High. Dominant at the goal line; stuffed a crucial sneak.
@ Arkansas St.	1 Tackle	B-	Efficient but quiet; gap discipline was the priority.
@ Houston	0 Tackles	C+	Impact limited by quick pass game; drew consistent doubles.
Baylor	1 Tackle	B	Anchored well against Baylor's zone run scheme.
@ West Virginia	1 Tackle	B+	High-effort pursuit for his size; forced a cutback.
UCF	1 Tackle	B	Battle of the big men; held his ground against a physical OL.
Brigham Young	1 Tackle, 1 PD	B+	Mental Toughness. Played through nagging injury; batted a pass.
Arizona State	2 Tackles	A-	Immovable at the point of attack; 2 QB hurries.
@ TCU	3 Tackles, 0.5 TFL	A-	Best disruptive game of the year; lived in the A-gap.
Kansas	0 Tackles	C	Struggled with lateral movement against a shifty QB.
@ Oklahoma St.	0 Tackles	B-	Disciplined role-player performance in a gritty road win.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Anchor: At 325 lbs, he is an immovable object when he sinks his hips. He consistently occupies two blockers, allowing linebackers to flow freely to the ball.

• Size-to-Weight Transformation: His ability to drop nearly 80 lbs since high school speaks volumes about his Leadership and commitment to a professional lifestyle.

• Hand Usage: Displays violent, heavy hands. When he connects on a punch, he can reset the line of scrimmage and jar an offensive lineman’s head back.

• High Floor: You know exactly what you are getting—a "do your job" nose tackle who won't lose his gap or get pushed off the ball.

Weaknesses

• Lack of Pass Rush Value: With only 1.0 career sack, he offers almost zero threat as a pocket collapser in passing situations. He is likely a two-down player at the next level.

• Lateral Agility: While improved, he still struggles to track down shifty ball-carriers in space. If a play gets to the perimeter, he is effectively neutralized.

• Stamina: Despite his weight loss, he is still best used in a rotation. His "twitch" drops off significantly after 5–6 consecutive snaps.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 0/1-Technique (Nose) in a 3-4 "Two-Gap" system that requires a space-eater to keep linebackers clean.

NFL Comparison: Siaki Ika / Danny Shelton ---

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 18/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 16/20 | Athleticism: 14/20 | IQ: 17/20 Final Grade: 82/100

Domonique Orange is a throwback defender. In an era of "twitchy" interior rushers, he is a classic, wide-bodied run-plugger who wins with mass and leverage. While his lack of stats will scare off some teams looking for a playmaker, coaches who value gap integrity and "dirty work" will see him as a mid-to-late round steal. His transformation from a 400-pound high schooler to a 325-pound SEC-caliber anchor proves he has the Mental Toughness to survive an NFL training camp.

Draft Projection: 5th - 6th Round