K.J. Green

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-4, 215 lbs. Taller than 35% and heavier than 0% of 2027 Edge Rusher prospects in the SEC Scouts database (26 with a listed size).

Play Style

Green is a disruptive, high-motor edge defender who plays from snap to whistle. The TFL-to-sack ratio (about 40 TFL to 17 sacks) shows he is as disruptive against the run and screens as he is rushing the passer. He is not just a pure speed rusher who disappears on early downs. The 95 solo tackles fit a player who wins at the snap and finishes without help, and his forced-fumble count points to a habit of attacking the ball rather than just wrapping up. Stephenson moves him around to hunt matchups, and he plays with the range of an overhang linebacker in a defensive end's body.

Strengths

• Production far above normal: 39.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks as a junior mean he spends a large share of snaps in the backfield, not just piling up sacks on obvious passing downs
• Range and pursuit that are rare for an edge player: 129 total tackles (95 solo) is linebacker-level volume, which shows effort, speed chasing plays down and the ability to finish in space
• Ball disruption: 3 forced fumbles as a junior and 5 more through the first five games of 2026. Whether through a chop-strip habit or deliberately going for the ball, he creates turnovers, not just tackles
• Proven against good competition: he has produced every year in a Stephenson program known for developing NFL defensive linemen and holds up in upper-level Georgia classification play
• Consistent from year to year: 54 tackles, 12 TFL and 6 sacks through a 4-1 start as a senior, with the whole scouting world now scheming against him, shows the junior numbers were no fluke

Areas to Improve

• Adding mass and strength at the point of attack: at 230 pounds he has to add real weight to set a firm edge against 310-pound SEC tackles and avoid being washed inside on down blocks and pin-pull schemes
• Building a sequenced set of pass-rush moves: high-school edge players this dominant often win on first-step speed and length alone. He needs a counter off his speed rush (inside spin or long-arm to rip) and a plan for when a tackle matches his get-off
• Run-fit discipline: a player with his pursuit range can chase too far upfield and open cutback lanes. At LSU he will need to keep contain and squeeze gaps consistently, not just make plays from behind

College Projection

Green projects as a rotational pass-rush specialist as a true freshman at LSU in 2027, most likely in passing-down packages as a stand-up rusher while he adds weight in the program's strength program. A realistic path is a sub-package role with limited snaps in Year 1, a regular rotation role in Year 2 at 245 to 250 pounds, and a starting job by Year 2 or 3. How fast that happens depends mainly on how quickly he can hold up against the run at SEC size.

NFL Outlook

With his length, production and pedigree (a top-10 EDGE nationally from a program that has sent players to the NFL), Green has a real NFL Draft ceiling if he develops to about 250 to 255 pounds while keeping his bend and closing speed. Edge rushers with his measurables and a proven habit of forcing turnovers are premium draft assets. If he adds a counter-move set and becomes a three-down player by his third college season, a Day 1 or Day 2 grade is a reasonable ceiling. If he doesn't fill out, he projects more as a situational rusher and a mid-round pick.

Best Fit

A multiple-front defense that uses a stand-up 'Jack' or rush-outside-linebacker role, lets him attack in space on passing downs and gives him time to add weight before asking him to play every down against tackles. LSU fits that profile, and the SEC's elite strength and nutrition resources match his biggest development need. He would be most effective aligned wide where his length and range can win on the edge, with pressure schemes that put him on running backs and tight ends early in his career.