Kyle Louis

NFL Draft Profile: Kyle Louis

Position: Linebacker / Safety Flex | School: Pittsburgh | Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 220 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (Blitz Specialist / Coverage)

College Career Summary

Kyle Louis, nicknamed "The Shark," has been the primary predator in Pittsburgh's defense for the past two seasons. A former unheralded three-star recruit, Louis exploded onto the national scene in 2024, becoming Pitt's first sophomore defensive All-American since the legendary Hugh Green. He is one of the few defenders in the last decade to record 100+ tackles, 4+ interceptions, and 7+ sacks in a single season. In 2025, he transitioned into a veteran leadership role, captaining a unit that led the ACC in several defensive categories. Despite battling a mid-season injury that sidelined him for key matchups, Louis maintained high-level production and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most versatile "Star" linebacker prospects in the country.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 33 (26 Starts)

• Total Tackles: 201 (81 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 25.5 (8.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 10.0 (3.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 6 (2 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 3 (1 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Duquesne	6 Tkl, 2.0 Sk	A	Set the tone immediately; unblockable off the edge.
vs. Central Michigan	5 Tkl, 1 PBU	B+	Disciplined in space; showed elite Agility.
@ West Virginia	10 Tkl, 1 FF	A-	Mental Toughness. Played through a physical rivalry game.
vs. Louisville	8 Tkl	B	High Stamina; played every meaningful defensive snap.
vs. Boston College	7 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Star play; jumped a slant for a crucial turnover.
@ Florida State	11 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	A	Sideline-to-sideline Pursuit was at an elite level.
@ Syracuse	4 Tkl	C+	Worst Game. Left early in the 1st half with an injury.
vs. NC State	DNP	N/A	Sidelined with an upper-body injury.
@ Stanford	6 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Smooth return to action; secure Tackling in space.
vs. Notre Dame	10 Tkl	B+	Tackling machine; faced heavy packages all night.
@ Georgia Tech	9 Tkl, 1.0 Sk, 1 FR	A+	Season Best. Total disruption; recovered a key fumble.
vs. Miami (FL)	5 Tkl, 1 INT	A-	IQ. Baited the QB into a zone-drop interception.
vs. East Carolina	DNP	N/A	Opted out/Injured for the Military Bowl.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Versatility: Louis played the "Star" position at Pitt, which is a hybrid of a Sam linebacker, nickel corner, and safety. This makes him a perfect match for modern NFL sub-packages.

• Blitzing Prowess: He has safety speed with linebacker timing. His 7.0 sacks in 2024 and his 2-sack opener in 2025 show he is a weapon when sent through the A-gap or off the edge.

• Ball Skills: He doesn't just "drop" into coverage; he hunts. His 6 career interceptions are a testament to his Play Recognition and receiver-like hands.

• High Motor: Louis is a high-effort player who never gives up on a play. His Pursuit speed allows him to track down ball carriers from the opposite hash.

Weaknesses

• Size/Weight: At 220 lbs, he is significantly undersized for a traditional NFL linebacker. He will struggle to "stack and shed" blocks against 330 lb NFL guards.

• Injury Concerns: Missed time in late 2025. Scouts will investigate his frame's Durability and whether he can handle a 17-game NFL schedule without adding bulk.

• Tackling Technique: Because he plays at such a high speed, he occasionally lunges, leading to missed tackles against twitchy runners in the open field.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Big Nickel / Safety Hybrid or a Weakside (WILL) Linebacker in a 4-2-5 system.

NFL Comparison: Elandon Roberts / Malcolm Rodriguez

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 15/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 19/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 89/100

Kyle Louis is a modern-day "Chess Piece." While old-school scouts might see a "tweener" who is too small for linebacker and too heavy for safety, modern defensive coordinators will see a player like Mel Kiper Jr.'s #2 safety prospect. He is a high-impact Star who changes the game with sacks and turnovers. If he lands with a team like the Ravens or Lions that knows how to use hybrid defenders, he could be a Day 1 impact player on special teams and sub-packages.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round