Zakee Wheatley

NFL Draft Profile: Zakee Wheatley

Position: Safety | School: Penn State | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 202 lbs | Archetype: Single-High / Centerfielder

College Career Summary

Zakee Wheatley is a "ball hawk" safety who effectively transitioned from a high school wide receiver to one of the most reliable deep-zone defenders in the Big Ten. After a redshirt year in 2021, he became a consistent presence in the Nittany Lions' secondary, appearing in every game from 2022 through 2025.

Wheatley's career is defined by high-volume tackling and opportunistic ball skills. In 2024, he led the safety room with 96 tackles and 3 interceptions. Returning for a fifth year in 2025, he anchored a secondary that faced significant coaching turnover mid-season. He finished his career as a multi-year starter and a frequent pre-snap communicator for Penn State’s defense, recording over 200 career tackles and 7 career interceptions. He officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in December 2025.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50+ (Started every game in 2024 and 2025)

• Total Tackles: ~215 (74 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 4.5 (2.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 1.0 (Career)

• Interceptions: 7 (1 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 3 (Career)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Nevada	3 Tkl	B	Quiet opener; limited action on the back end.
vs. FIU	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Star Impact. Solid coverage; nearly had a pick.
vs. Villanova	2 Tkl	B	Sound in discipline; erased deep post routes.
vs. Oregon	10 Tkl	A	High Motor. Showed elite range and high-volume tackling.
@ UCLA	12 Tkl, 1 TFL	A+	Star Impact. Career-high tackle count; elite run support.
vs. Northwestern	9 Tkl	A-	Stamina. Played 100% of snaps in a defensive battle.
@ Iowa	10 Tkl, 1 INT	A+	Clutch. Game-changing INT in a tight loss.
@ Ohio State	7 Tkl	B+	Mental Toughness. Physicality stood out vs. elite WRs.
vs. Indiana	5 Tkl	B	Standard performance; sound zone positioning.
@ Michigan State	3 Tkl, 1 TFL	B+	IQ. sniffed out a key 3rd-down screen pass.
vs. Nebraska	2 Tkl	B-	Worst Game. Lower impact than usual; minor pursuit error.
@ Rutgers	8 Tkl	A-	Leadership. Directed the secondary in a high-scoring win.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite "Centerfielder" Range: Wheatley uses long strides and a high-school receiver's tracking ability to cover an immense amount of ground in Cover 1 or Cover 3.

• Prototypical Frame: At nearly 6'3", he possesses the "vines for arms" scouts crave. This length is a major asset in pass breakups and wrap-up tackling.

• Ball Skills: He displays natural hand-eye coordination. His background as a receiver allows him to high-point the ball and transition into a returner instantly.

• Communication: He is a vocal pre-snap leader who understands leverage and passing concepts at a professional level.

Weaknesses

• High-Waisted Build: While explosive, his long-limbed frame can lead to slightly slower transitions in "click-and-close" scenarios compared to shorter, twitchier safeties.

• Functional Strength: Despite a solid tackle floor, he can occasionally be "ragdolled" by elite NFL-sized blockers when climbing to the second level.

• Over-Aggression: He sometimes triggers too fast downhill, leaving him vulnerable to double-moves or play-action shots behind him.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Single-High Free Safety in a Seattle-style Cover 3 or Post-Safety role (e.g., Colts, Seahawks, or Falcons).

NFL Comparison: Justin Simmons (Free Agent/Broncos)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

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

Final Grade: 91/100

Zakee Wheatley is a "true" safety. While many modern prospects are hybrid nickel-corners, Wheatley is a classic deep-zone eraser with the frame to match. His consistency at Penn State and his ability to tackle at high speeds make him a safe but high-upside draft pick. Teams running single-high shells will value his range, while his character and special teams upside make him a lock for a significant role in an NFL secondary.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round