Alister Vallejo

Physical Profile

Vallejo possesses an ideal frame for an interior defensive lineman, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at a formidable 310 pounds. This size gives him a significant anchor against the run. For a player of his stature, he exhibits noteworthy twitch and the ability to redirect, which allows him to be effective in pursuit. His strength is a defining characteristic, frequently putting offensive linemen on their heels upon contact.

Play Style

On film, Vallejo is an aggressive, big-bodied defensive tackle who excels at disrupting the opposing offense. He uses an explosive first step to gain an advantage and follows it with a powerful punch to control his blocker. He is a high-energy player who is just as likely to clog running lanes by occupying multiple blockers as he is to penetrate and make a play in the backfield. His motor is always running, and he demonstrates a will to pursue the football from sideline to sideline.

Strengths

• **Point-of-Attack Power:** Shows striking power in his hands, delivering a forceful punch that can jolt and control offensive linemen. He consistently demonstrates the ability to reset the line of scrimmage.
• **High Motor & Pursuit:** Plays with a relentless motor, making a significant number of plays based on effort. His pursuit ability is impressive for an interior lineman, showing good agility to chase down plays away from his initial gap.
• **Disruptiveness:** A consistent playmaker in the backfield, evidenced by his 71 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks during his senior season. He also has a knack for getting his hands up, blocking multiple kicks throughout his high school career.
• **Scheme Versatility:** His combination of size and athleticism allows him to project to various roles and fronts at the next level. He has the mass to occupy blockers as a nose tackle and the quickness to be a penetrating 3-technique.

Areas to Improve

• **Pad Level:** Can occasionally play too high, which negates his natural power and leverage. Maintaining a lower center of gravity will enhance his ability to consistently win at the point of attack.
• **Balance and Body Control:** Needs to refine his balance and eliminate wasted motion after disengaging from blocks. Improving his body control will lead to more efficient paths to the ball carrier and more consistent tackling.

College Projection

Vallejo projects as a multi-year, impact starter for a high-major program. Given his physical development and skill set, he has the potential to earn a role in the defensive line rotation early in his career. His ultimate ceiling is that of an all-conference caliber player who serves as a cornerstone of the defensive front.

NFL Outlook

As a highly-rated, four-star prospect (0.9232 composite score) with a coveted combination of size, power, and athleticism for the interior defensive line, Vallejo possesses clear NFL potential. His ability to contribute against both the run and the pass from an interior position gives him a high floor. With continued development of his technique and consistency at the college level, he projects to have a strong chance of being selected in the NFL Draft.

Best Fit

A defensive scheme that allows its interior linemen to be aggressive and attack upfield would be an excellent fit for Vallejo. His skills would be maximized in a 4-3 defense as a 3-technique tackle or as a versatile lineman in a multiple-front system that values disruption and penetration from its down linemen.