Dontay Corleone

NFL Draft Profile: Dontay Corleone

Position: Defensive Tackle (Nose) | School: Cincinnati | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 335 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper

College Career Summary

Nicknamed "The Godfather," Dontay Corleone is one of the most decorated and feared interior defenders in Cincinnati history. He burst onto the national scene in 2022 as Pro Football Focus's (PFF) highest-graded defensive player in college football (93.8). Throughout his career, he has been a consistent All-Conference selection across the AAC and Big 12.

His 2024 season was defined by extreme Mental Toughness after he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs during the summer. Despite missing fall camp, he was cleared in September and returned to anchor a defense that faced constant double teams. He returned for his final season in 2025 to prove his medical durability and solidify his status as a pro-ready nose tackle.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 44 (33 Starts)

• Total Tackles: 122

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 17.5

• Sacks: 9.5

• Forced Fumbles: 3

• Fumble Recoveries: 2

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
Towson	2 Tackles, 1 QBH	B	Controlled the A-gap; played limited snaps in a blowout.
Pittsburgh	6 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	A-	Dominant in the rivalry; purely overmatched the Pitt center.
Miami (OH)	4 Tackles	B+	Invaluable "Star" impact; forced several redirected runs.
Texas Tech	4 Tackles, 1.0 TFL	A	Showed elite Acceleration shooting the gap on a critical 3rd down.
@ UCF	4 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks	A+	The best game of his career; rare interior pass-rush dominance.
Arizona State	4 Tackles, 0.5 TFL	B+	Stout against the Big 12 champions; high IQ in play recognition.
West Virginia	3 Tackles, 0.5 Sack	B	Fought through constant triple-teams; high-motor game.
@ Iowa State	5 Tackles	B	Classic Big 12 slugfest; elite Strength on display.
@ Kansas State	2 Tackles	C+	Struggled with lateral speed and stretch runs; uncharacteristic fatigue.
TCU	4 Tackles	B-	Solid run support but lacked impact in the pass-rush phase.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Leverage: At 6'1", he is naturally the "low man." He gets underneath the pads of 6'5" centers and drives them into the backfield with ease.

• Pro-Ready Strength: Corleone is a weight-room legend (600+ lb squat). This translates to the field as a primary anchor that cannot be moved by single blocks.

• Short-Area Quicks: For 335 lbs, his first step is shockingly sudden. He wins the "hands-on" battle nearly every rep.

• Character: A three-time captain. His return from blood clots showed elite Competitor traits and Mental Toughness.

Weaknesses

• Stamina & Snap Count: Due to his size and the medical history, he is most effective in a rotation. He can lose his explosive edge if he stays on the field for 8+ consecutive plays.

• Limited Pass Rush Bag: He relies heavily on the bull-rush and push-pull. He needs to develop more finesse moves (swim/rip) to be a consistent NFL pocket-collapser.

• Ankle Flexibility: While he is quick, he is somewhat "stiff" in the lower half, making it difficult to "bend the corner" when rushing from the 3-technique.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 0 or 1-Technique in a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 "Under" system.

NFL Comparison: DJ Reader (Lions) / Grady Jarrett (Size/Leverage)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 15/20 | IQ: 17/20 Final Grade: 86/100

Dontay Corleone is a foundational piece for an NFL defense. While he doesn't have the "long" frame of a Caleb Banks or the pass-rush ceiling of Peter Woods, he provides a floor that few others can: he effectively kills the opponent's inside run game. His medical clearance in 2024 was the final hurdle; his 2025 tape proves he is still the most dominant "pure" nose tackle in the country. Because he is a specialist (Run Stopper), he may not go Top-10, but he is a lock for a long NFL career.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round (Early-to-Mid)