Friday Feature #15: Kamari Ramsey
The USC Trojans were in the CFP hunt deep into November, and while Jayden Maiava and his receiving corps were a big reason for that, the secondary played their part as well. Kamari Ramsey played almost 500 snaps on the backend for the Trojans and is moving on to the NFL after a slightly up-and-down 2025. Check out my detailed scouting report on Ramsey below:
Background & Measurables
Name: Kamari Ramsey
Year: Redshirt Junior
Size: 6’0, 205 pounds
Position/Scheme Fit: Slot Corner/ SS in a 4-3 Cover 3 defense
Former 4-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon, California. Ramsey committed to UCLA ahead of Stanford, Arizona and Arizona State. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2022, but appeared in 4 games and collected 6 tackles. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he recorded 40 tackles, including 2.5 for loss for 11 yards, 4 PBUs, 2 QB hurries and 1 INT while appearing in 11 games with 11 starts.
Ramsey was instrumental in the Trojans turnaround defensively in 2024 when he followed his coach D'Anton Lynn across town from UCLA to USC. He helped Lynn install the scheme because of his experience the year prior. Ramsey finished the season with 60 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 11 games. He was named an All-Big Ten Honourable Mention for his play and was named to both the Shrine Bowl 1000 and Senior Bowl 300 prior to the 2025 season, and was on the watchlist for the Ronnie Lott IMPACT trophy. He was limited by injuries during the season but was still once again named an All-Big Ten Honourable Mention.
Detailed Scouting Report
Strengths
1. Shows good closing speed in coverage to prevent big plays. Can rush down in the flat or operate in the slot with some comfort, making plays on the ball carrier after the catch. Allowed only 7.5 yards per reception in 2024 and 8.5 in 2025, both of which were among the top safeties in the nation.
2. Versatile in his coverage ability. Comfortable in trail positions in man coverage in particular, but can also operate in zone. He is sticky in coverage, even when deployed across the formation.
3. Has more than adequate athleticism to play a multitude of positions in the secondary. Operates mostly in the slot but has played at both free and strong safety. Fits the size profile of other coverage safeties entering the league in recent years and could move up boards with a strong pre-draft process.
4. Quick reaction skills on screen plays. Gets downhill and around blocks with good acceleration to break up plays before they get going. Willing to take on outside blocks with violence and has shown a real consistency there, even when other parts of his game have taken a slight step back.
Development Points
1. Ramsey has been limited by injuries in 2025, causing him to miss several games and his production to fall off. He finished the regular season with only 27 tackles and two passes defended.
2. Doesn't consistently wrap up the ball carrier in run support. Can dip his head into contact and was sidestepped in a few examples on film. Missed 15 tackles in 2024, including 4 in the game vs Maryland. Better in 2025, but certainly one to watch.
3. Got lost on some plays vs Michigan and too often bit down on play-action fakes or walked back on run plays. Needs to trust his instinct more and build consistency in play-in and play-out.
4. He was certainly better in 2024 than 2025, so teams will need to get comfortable with his overall evaluation and reasons why beyond injury to spend a premium pick on him.
Conclusion
Ramsey enters the draft as a versatile safety for the Trojans, who started his college career across the state at UCLA. He is excellent on coverage, comfortable operating in the slot and trailing in man coverage. He has quick reaction skills with the athleticism to play a multitude of spots on the defense. His 2025 tape is patchy, particularly against the run with some poor tackling displays raising questions about his long-term fit at safety. A move to the slot full-time could be in the offing for Ramsey, but either way, he could hear his name called sometime late on Day 2 or early on Day 3.
Grade: 6.3/9.0 (3rd round grade)
Player Comp: Chamarri Conner
Team Fits: Bears, Bills, Raiders, Seahawks, Panthers, Steelers, Colts