Hezekiah Masses

NFL Draft Profile: Hezekiah Masses

Position: Cornerback | School: California (via FIU) | Class: Senior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 185 lbs | Archetype: Zone / Man

College Career Summary

Hezekiah Masses is a "grand theft artist" whose stock skyrocketed after transferring from FIU to California for his senior season. At FIU, he was a steady three-year contributor who showed flashes of ball-hawking ability (36 games, 2 INTs). However, his move to the ACC in 2025 unlocked a new level of play.

In 2025, Masses became a national name, leading the country in interceptions for much of the early season and finishing as a First-Team All-ACC selection and Chuck Bednarik Award watch-list member. He proved that his length and instinctual play could translate to the highest level of college football, ending his final season with a massive 5 interceptions and 13 pass breakups, effectively replacing the production of Cal's NFL-bound 2024 secondary.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 48 (12 starts in 2025)

• Total Tackles: 165 (47 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 6.5 (1.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 0.0

• Interceptions: 7 (5 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 21 (13 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
@ Oregon State	5 Tkl, 1 INT, 2 PD	A	Star Impact. 41-yard INT return set up a crucial TD.
vs. Texas Southern	1 Tkl, 1 INT, 2 PD	B+	Dominant ball tracking; interception on a deep ball.
vs. Minnesota	8 Tkl, 1 INT, 2 PD	A+	Mental Toughness. Season-high in tackles; 3 takeaways.
@ San Diego State	2 Tkl, 1 PD	C-	Worst Game. Defense shut out; struggled with consistency.
@ Boston College	6 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Clutch. 22-yard INT return led to the game-winning drive.
vs. Duke	2 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B	Physical at the point of attack; active in run support.
vs. North Carolina	2 Tkl, 2 PD	B+	Attributes. Clamped down on vertical routes late.
@ Virginia Tech	2 Tkl	B-	Relatively quiet; Virginia Tech targeted the opposite side.
vs. Virginia	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Solid in zone drops; erased the slot corner route.
@ Louisville	6 Tkl, 1 INT, 1 PD	A-	Competitor. High-volume tackles and a momentum INT.
@ Stanford	6 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Disciplined eyes; handled rivalry pressure well.
vs. SMU	0 Tkl, 1 PD	B	SMU avoided him entirely; perfect positioning.
@ Hawaii (Bowl)	4 Tkl	B+	Consistent season finale; high motor in pursuit.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Instinctual Ball-Hawking: Masses has an elite "nose for the ball." His Play Recognition allows him to jump routes before the receiver makes their break, leading to his nation-leading production.

• Prototypical Length: At 6'1", he has the long limbs NFL teams covet to disrupt the catch radius of larger receivers.

• Closing Speed: Displays excellent Acceleration and "recovery gear" when the ball is in the air.

• Zone Awareness: He is a master of the "trap" coverage, baited QBs into several interceptions in 2025 by looking out of position before snapping back to the ball.

Weaknesses

• Frame Density: At 185 lbs, he is very thin for his height. He can be "bullied" at the top of routes and needs to add 10-15 lbs of functional muscle to handle NFL blockers.

• Press Physicality: He prefers to play in "off-man" or zone. His Press jam is currently inconsistent and can be easily swiped away by more physical receivers.

• Tackling Power: While he is a willing tackler (High Motor), he is more of a "wrap-and-slide" finisher than a "thumper." Physical backs will fall forward against him.

Scheme Fit: Ideal CB2 in a Zone-heavy or Match-Zone scheme (e.g., Steelers, Eagles, or Cardinals).

NFL Comparison: Nohl Williams / Marcus Peters (Style)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

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

Final Grade: 88/100

Hezekiah Masses is one of the biggest "risers" of the 2026 class. His 2025 tape at Cal proved that he is a high-IQ defender who can thrive against top-tier ACC competition. While his weight is a concern, his ball production is impossible to ignore. In a league that prioritizes takeaways, Masses’ ability to flip the field makes him a high-value prospect. If he tests well at the combine (expect a 4.45 range), he won't last long on Day 2.

Draft Projection: 3rd Round