Chadron State
Eastern Washington
Idaho State
Montana State
Utah
Virginia
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Weber State
SCOUTSZN
Scouting Report
July 29, 2026
Tao Johnson #6
UCLA · SAF · R-Sr · 2027 Draft
· Idaho Falls, Idaho · Thunder Ridge HS
6-0 · 194 lbs
6.8
Day 3 Caliber
Floor 6.5 · Ceiling 7.1
#248 overall · #20 SAF of 15102
Scouting Verdict
Stability is the sell. Three years a starter at Utah safety — 33-, 70- and 51-tackle seasons, five breakups as a sophomore, two interceptions in 2025 — inside a program that treats defensive structure like religion, and now the veteran anchor of a rebuilt UCLA secondary. The volume of real snaps against Pac-12 and Big 12 competition separates him from most portal safeties: he has answered the bell for three straight seasons, and the 2024 line (70 tackles, 41 solo) shows legitimate run-support value from depth. However, three career interceptions and one forced fumble across three starting years is quiet ball production for a safety with draft ambitions, and nothing in the profile suggests untapped range he simply hasn't shown — the 2026 question is whether he can be a playmaker instead of a placeholder. Day 3 grade on the 2027 track; the floor is priority camp value, and a four-takeaway season changes the conversation entirely.
Ceiling · 7.1
Projected 2026 starter (FS1) — real opportunity to climb; close to ceiling (+0.3).