Ben'Jarvius Shumaker

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-3, 275 lbs. Taller than 27% and heavier than 15% of 2027 Defensive Line prospects in the SEC Scouts database (26 with a listed size).

Play Style

An attacking, penetrating interior lineman who plays in the backfield. He fires off the snap, gets into the guard's chest quickly and drives through the gap rather than reading and reacting. His lower-body strength lets him keep pushing against double teams, and his effort produces tackles away from his gap; his junior tackle total is unusual for his position. He can beat blockers with quickness or with power. The main flaw on film is inconsistent pad level: when he rises out of his stance he loses leverage and can be moved. He fits best as an aggressive one-gap player rather than a two-gap nose tackle.

Strengths

• Production behind the line: as a junior in 2025 he had 113 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Triple-digit tackles from an interior lineman show range beyond his gap.
• Anchor and power at the point of attack: scouts say he can absorb double teams and still gain ground. That comes from lower-body strength and a good base, and it is the hardest trait to teach an interior lineman.
• First step and effort: he gets off the ball quickly and plays with a consistent motor. He can win with either speed or power, which gives him a real counter off his initial rush.
• Proven in-state fit: Ole Miss beat national offers from Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami and Texas A&M. He has shut down his recruitment twice, reducing flip risk. He also went through a very public back-and-forth with Colorado in June 2026.

Areas to Improve

• Pad level: evaluators note he plays high at times. Against SEC guards, a high pad level cancels out his power advantage and gets him washed on down blocks. He needs to stay low through contact and play with leverage consistently.
• Hand usage and pass-rush plan: like most high school interior linemen, he wins mostly on athleticism and strength right now. He needs a refined club-swim or push-pull move, independent hands to shed blocks, and a planned counter when the first move stalls.
• Adding weight for full-time interior work: he is listed at 250-275. He needs to reach roughly 285-295 while keeping his get-off in order to hold up on early downs against SEC run schemes. His lower body should carry it, but he still has to add it.

College Projection

Projects as a 3-technique or shaded-nose tackle in an attacking front. The most likely path is rotational snaps as a true freshman in 2027. Ole Miss has relied heavily on the transfer portal on the defensive line, so early playing time depends on the room, but his effort and get-off fit a sub-package pass-rush role right away. Realistic expectations: a rotational contributor in years 1-2 once his weight reaches 285+, then a starter by year 2 or 3 if his pad level and hand technique develop. He has the ceiling to be a disruptive, all-conference interior lineman.

NFL Outlook

Shumaker has a Day 2 draft profile if his development follows his rankings. Teams value interior linemen who combine anchor, first-step quickness and effort, and his high tackles-for-loss total fits what they look for in a penetrating 3-technique. Two things will set his draft value: whether he plays at 290-300 without losing burst, and whether his pass-rush plan matures beyond winning on athleticism. If he fixes the pad-level issue and produces 5+ sacks a year from the interior in the SEC, a Day 1-2 grade is realistic. Height (6-3) and arm length will be checked, but they are not disqualifying for a 3-technique.

Best Fit

An attacking, one-gap 4-man front that asks the interior line to get upfield and disrupt rather than hold two gaps. That is the Ole Miss approach, and his home-state commitment gives him a natural developmental setting. His ideal role is a 3-technique or shaded tackle with pass-rush freedom, supported by a strength program that adds 15-25 pounds, and a defensive line coach who will fix his pad level and add a counter move early.