NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Nebraska S DeShon Singleton

DeShon Singleton is a long-limbed, heavy-tackling, box safety who set the tone for Nebraska's defense every game. He's going to compete on special teams and bring the wood as an enforcer.

The former 3-star JUCO transfer played four seasons for the Cornhuskers and compiled 163 tackles (98 solo), seven and a half tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, and eight passes defensed.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

DeShon Singleton Highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Singleton plays with an aggressive mindset and wants to make impactful tackles and hits on the ball carrier.

— Showcases physical tight end coverage ability as a big slot and will play the run as a nickel.

— Projects best as a pure box player and closer to the line of scrimmage, where moving downhill with bad intentions in a phone booth is rewarded.

Areas of Improvement

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— Singleton isn't a natural coverage player, and his lack of change-of-direction skills inhibits his ability against receivers.

— Not an instinctual player when reading routes, and his ball production shows it.

— His eye discipline leaves him behind plays in coverage, and he doesn't have the recovery speed to make up for it.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 5.7 (Backup/Draftable - 7th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: S Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard (5.9 in 2025), S Andre' Sam, LSU (5.7 in 2024), S Kenderick Duncan Jr., Louisville (5.7 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 278

POSITION RANK: S23

PRO COMPARISON: Brian Cole II

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'3"
Weight: 205
Hand Size: 10"
Arm Length: 32 ⅞"
Wingspan: 80 ¼"

40-yard dash: 4.57
10-yard split: 1.64
Vertical: 39 ½"
Broad: 10'10"
3 cone: 7.06
Shuttle: 4.33
Bench: 12