Eric McAlister

NFL Draft Profile: Eric McAlister

Position: Wide Receiver | School: TCU (via Boise State) | Class: Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205 lbs | Archetype: Physical / Deep Threat

College Career Summary

Eric McAlister, often known as "EMac," has established himself as one of the premier vertical threats in college football. After a breakout 2023 season at Boise State (47 receptions, 873 yards), he made the high-profile jump to the Big 12 with TCU. In 2024, he proved his efficiency by leading the nation in first-down conversion rate (nearly 90% of his catches resulted in a first down).

His 2025 season was nothing short of historic for the Horned Frogs. He became the focal point of the offense, recording the second-most receiving yards in a single season in program history. McAlister is a "boundary winner"—a large-framed receiver who thrives on contested catches and has the deceptive speed to "stack" cornerbacks vertically. He finished 2025 with 64 receptions for 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns, cementing his status as a legitimate NFL prospect.

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 177 | Total Receiving Yards: 3,015 | TDs: 24

• 2025 Stats: 64 Rec, 1,121 Yds, 10 TD | Avg: 17.5 YPC

• Drops: Moderate; occasionally struggles with concentration on short sit-down routes, but elite at the catch point on deep balls.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ North Carolina	3 / 20 / 0	C	Quiet start; used mostly to clear out coverage for underneath routes.
2	vs Abilene Christian	2 / 46 / 0	B-	Low volume but showcased high-point ability on a 30-yard gain.
3	vs SMU	8 / 254 / 3	A+	The Apex. Second-most yards in TCU history. Total dominance.
4	@ Arizona State	0 / 0 / 0	D	Worst Game. Targeted heavily but struggled with physical bracket coverage.
5	vs Colorado	4 / 65 / 2	A-	Red-zone masterclass; two jump-ball scores over FBS corners.
6	@ Kansas State	4 / 156 / 2	A	Huge explosive plays; averaged 39.0 yards per catch.
7	vs Baylor	7 / 62 / 0	B	Solid chain-mover; reliable target on 3rd-and-medium.
8	@ West Virginia	9 / 124 / 1	A-	High-volume performance; physically overwhelmed the secondary.
10	vs Iowa State	11 / 107 / 0	B+	Career-high receptions; elite stamina in a defensive slugfest.
11	@ BYU	4 / 107 / 0	B	Maintained 100-yard streak; excellent sideline body control.
12	@ Houston	4 / 79 / 1	B+	Scored a critical fourth-quarter TD to ice the game.
13	vs Cincinnati	8 / 101 / 1	A-	Finished regular season strong; reeled in all 8 targets.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Leadership: Respected veteran; took over as the WR1 leader after departures of senior starters.

• Mental Toughness: Recovered from a mid-season "slump" in Week 4 to post four straight 100-yard games.

• Competitor: High. Loves the 50/50 ball; wants the ball when the game is on the line.

• Team Player: Praised by QB Josh Hoover for his work ethic and communication.

• Star Power: He is a "game-changer" whose vertical gravity dictates defensive coverages.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Height/Weight: 6'3", 205 lbs. (Exceeds both targets; prototypical NFL "X" frame).

• Stamina: Exceptional; capable of running high-effort vertical stems all game.

• Durability: Played all 12 games in 2025; robust frame for the pro level.

• Injury History: Medically clean throughout his time at TCU and Boise State.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Catching: Strong hands in traffic; elite at plucking the ball away from his body.

• Route Running: Good for his size; specializes in vertical stems, posts, and nines.

• Body Control: Strength. Incredible ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls in the air.

• Separation: Creates space via size and "stacking" defenders rather than pure twitch.

• Release: Uses his length well to hand-fight and clear press-man coverage.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Speed: 4.51 (Estimated). "Long speed" that builds up; dangerous once he hits his stride.

• Agility: Solid for a 6'3" receiver; fluid enough for intermediate crossing routes.

• Jumping: Elite. Basketball-background shows in his vertical timing.

• Acceleration: Good build-up; takes a few steps to reach top gear.

• Break Tackle: Physical runner; difficult to bring down with solo arm tackles.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 93/100

• Awareness: High; elite "sideline awareness" and understanding of hole-shots in zone.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Protypical size and length; elite ball-tracking and high-point ability; physical blocker in the run game; proven producer in both G5 and P4 environments; exceptional first-down conversion rate.

• Weaknesses: Lacks "elite" short-area twitch; can be slow to sink hips on comeback routes; occasionally has focus drops on easy underneath throws.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal X-Receiver in a Vertical-based or Air Raid system (e.g., Lions, Texans, Cardinals).

• NFL Comparison: Courtland Sutton / George Pickens.

Scout's Final Word

"Eric McAlister is a 'Sunday' receiver. He has the frame that NFL coaches can't teach and the 50/50 ball dominance that keeps defensive coordinators awake. While he might not be a 4.3 burner, his ability to stack defenders and win at the catch point makes him a massive red-zone and third-down asset. His 2025 production at TCU proves he is ready for the jump. Draft Projection: Round 5-6"