Summer is here, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. 

Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. 

So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.

Player Information

Player: Xavier Nwankpa

School: Iowa

Height/Weight: 6-2/215 lbs.

Player Background

– 5-Star Recruit

– Highest Graded Recruit in Iowa Highest

– High School All-American

Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season

– 95 Tackles

– 2 Tackles for a Loss

– 1 Sack

– 2 Interceptions

– 4 Pass Breakups

Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season 

– 75.1 PFF Run Defense Grade

– 78.2 PFF Pass Coverage Grade

– Missed Tackle Rate of 12.8%

– 24 Defensive Stops

Player Traits

– Showcases excellent speed to make good breaks on the ball

– Good instincts to read the play being run on offense

– Excellent football IQ, doesn’t over-commit

– Great tackling technique in the open field

– Athletic ability will allow him to keep developing

Player Summary

Xavier Nwankpa has some more developing to do, but his athletic ability is going to carry him as he does it. I really appreciated his instincts, awareness, and football IQ, which allowed him to make plays time and again. He is a rangy safety in run and pass coverage as well, and is a perfect fit for what Iowa wants to achieve. While his ball production doesn’t match that of what we have seen from other safeties in the class, he has shown he can be in position to make those types of plays and will most likely have him be more of a playmaker in the NFL than in college. 

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Xavier Nwankpa, SAF, Iowa