Kam Shanks

NFL Draft Profile: Kam Shanks

Position: Wide Receiver / Return Specialist | School: Arkansas (via UAB) | Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 5'8" | Weight: 170 lbs | Archetype: Slot / Deep Threat / Return Specialist

College Career Summary

Kam Shanks is one of the most electric open-field playmakers in college football. He began his career at UAB, where he exploded in 2024 as a Freshman All-American, leading the nation in punt return yards (329) and touchdowns (2). After proving he could be a high-volume receiver for the Blazers (62 receptions, 656 yards), he transferred to Arkansas for the 2025 season to test his elite speed in the SEC.

At Arkansas, Shanks faced a steeper climb for targets in a crowded room but remained a designated "big-play" threat and the primary return man. While his receiving volume dipped to 9 receptions for 101 yards, he maintained a high yards-per-catch average and remained a feared special teams weapon, earning First-Team All-American honors as a punt returner (The Sporting News). His season was hampered early by a hamstring injury, but his tape shows a player whose "scary" side-to-side agility translates to the highest level.

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 71 | Total Receiving Yards: 757 | TDs: 7 Rec / 2 PR

• 2025 Stats: 9 Rec, 101 Yds, 1 TD | 17 PR, 107 Yds

• Drops: 2 in 2025 (Small sample size; reliable hands in 2024 with 89 targets).

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Alabama A&M	3 / 19 / 0	B	High volume of punt returns; steady involvement.
2	vs Arkansas St	0 / 0 / 0	C+	Impact limited to returns; effectively bracketed.
3	@ Ole Miss	1 / 6 / 0	C	Struggled to create space against SEC speed.
4	@ Memphis	0 / 0 / 0	D+	Virtually non-existent in the offensive game plan.
5	vs Notre Dame	0 / 0 / 0	D	Worst Game. Stifled by elite ND secondary; no impact.
7	@ Tennessee	3 / 44 / 1	A-	Big Play Factor. Scored first SEC TD; showcased deep speed.
8	vs Texas A&M	0 / 0 / 0	C-	Restricted to return duties; no targets.
9	vs Auburn	0 / 0 / 0	C	Special teams contributor only.
10	vs Miss State	2 / 32 / 0	B+	Flash of 2024 form; reliable intermediate weapon.
12	@ LSU	0 / 0 / 0	B-	Season-long 26-yard punt return; game-changing agility.
13	@ Texas	0 / 0 / 0	C+	Used as a decoy; special teams tackle recorded.
14	vs Missouri	0 / 0 / 0	B	The Apex (Special Teams). 26 return yards; elite vision.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Leadership: Lead-by-example player; special teams spark plug.

• Mental Toughness: High; successfully made the jump from AAC to SEC despite a mid-season injury.

• Competitor: Elite. Plays much bigger than his 170lb frame; thrives in the return game "chaos."

• Team Player: Accepted a reduced receiving role at Arkansas to focus on being a nation-leading returner.

• Star Power: He is a "threat to house it" every time he touches the ball on special teams.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 74/100

• Height/Weight: 5'8", 170 lbs. (Well below 6'0"/200lb targets; significant outlier size).

• Stamina: High; track-level endurance allows for multiple deep sprints.

• Durability: Played 12 games in 2025, but missed preseason time with a hamstring issue.

• Injury History: Hamstring (2025). Small frame makes him a higher injury risk in the NFL.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 89/100

• Catching: Solid hands; plucks the ball well for a smaller receiver.

• Route Running: Sharp; uses his low center of gravity to "break" corners at the top of the route.

• Body Control: Excellent; highly agile in the air and on the sidelines.

• Separation: Creates space with pure twitch and suddenness.

• Release: Efficient; uses a "dead-leg" move to avoid jams.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Speed: Elite. Verified 4.3 speed; "track fast" on the football field.

• Agility: World-Class. Elite side-to-side movement; nightmare to tackle in space.

• Jumping: Solid for his size, but catch radius is naturally limited.

• Acceleration: Elite. Reaches top speed in two steps.

• Break Tackle: Uses elusiveness rather than power; elite at making the first man miss.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 93/100

• Awareness: High; elite vision as a returner, anticipating blocks before they happen.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: World-class agility and acceleration; nation-leading return specialist credentials; elite "scat-back" elusiveness; high-IQ vision in the open field; experience at both the G5 and P4 levels.

• Weaknesses: Significant size concerns (5'8", 170 lbs); will struggle to beat physical NFL press coverage; limited catch radius; history of minor soft-tissue injuries.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal Designated Returner / Gadget Slot in a system that prioritizes YAC (e.g., Dolphins, Chiefs, Texans).

• NFL Comparison: KaVontae Turpin / Ray-Ray McCloud.

Scout's Final Word

"Kam Shanks is a 'pure' specialist. While he may never be a 100-target receiver in the NFL due to his size, he is an immediate Pro Bowl-caliber returner. His ability to flip the field and provide a spark on jet sweeps and screen passes makes him a valuable 53-man roster addition. In a league moving toward more kickoff/punt importance, Shanks is a Day 3 priority. Projected: Round 5–6."