NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for USC Edge Anthony Lucas

Anthony Lucas has intriguing physical traits, standing at 6'5", 267 pounds, with impressive quickness and movement skills. His frame and athleticism makes him an appealing developmental prospect among the class' edge-rushers.

As a 4-star recruit in the 2022 prep class, Lucas began his career with the Texas A&M Aggies. However, he only participated in seven games after being suspended for the second half of the season after a "locker room incident", according to The Houston Chronicle.

The former Aggie transferred to USC for the following season and served as a rotational player, who received limited reps during his first year with the Trojans. He played in 13 games but added just 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and no sacks before becoming a starter as a junior.

In 2024, Lucas was limited to seven games after suffering an ankle injury that ended his campaign and led to offseason surgery.

This past season, 21-year-old prospect provided best performance, participating in all 12 of USC's regular season matchups (missing the Alamo Bowl with an injury) and racking up 37 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, three sacks and a forced fumble.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Where He Wins

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- Lucas has great frame, with little to no bad weight. He also has decent length.

- Solid athlete overall, showing good quickness and change of direction, with the chance to add a strong inside-counter as a pass-rusher if he can improve the accuracy/timing with his hands.

- Good at turning speed-to-power as a pass-rusher and flashes of a solid long-arm move.

- Active hands when rushing the passer.

- Against the run, he's quick to get his hands up with decent upper-body strength to get extension on blocks, especially with his arm length.

- Stays tight to the line of scrimmage and displays decent speed to occasionally make tackles when unblocked on the backside of zone runs.

Areas of Improvement

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- Lucas had minimal collegiate production. He didn't record a sack until his fourth year and posted only three in 2025.

- Lacks explosion off the line of scrimmage to threaten the edge.

- Often late and inaccurate with his hands as a pass-rusher, limiting his arsenal.

- Subpar bend to turn a tight corner at the top of the rush.

- Doesn't have the lower-body strength to anchor and set the edge against good competition.

- Lacks rotational strength to avoid getting his shoulders turned against scoop blocks, even against two tight ends.

- Block recognition is below average, and he doesn't run his feet to avoid getting reached.

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 6.4 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo (6.4 in 2021), Amare Barno, Virginia Tech (6.3 in 2022), Que Robinson, Alabama (6.4 in 2025)

OVERALL RANK: 180

POSITION RANK: EDGE17

PRO COMPARISON: Chauncey Golston

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'5"
Weight: 256
Hand: 10¼"
Arm: 33⅜"
Wingspan: N/A

40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A