Friday Feature #18: Seydou Traore

Mississippi State were an interesting team in 2025. They upset Arizona State early on and pushed both Tennessee and Texas to the brink in overtime, but also had 4 blowout losses and succumbed to the Florida Gators, who had their worst year in almost a decade. Arguably, the most intriguing 2026 draft prospect for the Bulldogs is Seydou Traore. A native of London, England, he moved to the US seeking an opportunity to play Division 1 college football and eventually to pursue a career in the NFL. Now the TE is a Shrine Bowl participant, that dream could only be a few months away from being actualised. Check out my detailed scouting report on Traore below:

Background & Measurables

Name: Seydou Traore

Year: Redshirt Senior

Size: 6’4, 235 pounds

Position/Scheme Fit: Receiving TE in a Veer and Shoot offense

Former 3-star recruit in 2021 out of Clearwater, Florida, but originally from London, England. He committed to Arkansas State out of High School as a WR ahead of schools such as Florida State, Iowa State and Memphis. He appeared in 11 games as a true freshman and pulled in 97 yards on 12 catches, and had 10 of those catches in the final three games of the season. Traore turned that late-season production into a very productive sophomore season as he started 11 of the 12 games at tight end. He led the team with 655 receiving yards and 4 TDs. He had a 100-yard receiving game vs Memphis and transferred after the season to Colorado. Things didn't work out at Colorado, so he only spent the Spring there before moving to Mississippi State, where he was forced to redshirt due to NCAA rules.

His redshirt junior season for the Bulldogs was productive, albeit not as fruitful as his time with Arkansas State. He caught 34 passes for 361 yards and a TD, while starting all 12 games. He was also named to the Shrine Bowl 1000 and Senior Bowl 300 before the season and had similar production in his final year, although he improved his TD count to 5 and had his career-longest reception for 55 yards against Southern Miss. He is set to compete at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl in Arlington, Texas.

Detailed Scouting Report

Strengths

1. Has the skillset to line up almost anywhere as a receiver. Can operate in the slot, inline or out of the backfield. Needs coaching on the nuance of the TE position, but certainly has the background to be a real asset in the passing game.

2. Is quick out of the blocks. Good initial release to pop out of his stance and quick over short yardage. Also used in motion like a WR across the formation, and can cover the distance in a hurry.

3. Safe hands from the TE spot. Has only 3 drops in 2 years and uses his receiving background to great effect. Can extend his hands away from his body to make catches and has made strong receptions from a multitude of spots.

4. Tough to take down after the catch. Impressive in the open field and regularly rumbles for extra yardage. Had 6.3 YAC per reception, which was Top 50 for TEs in 2025.

Development Points

1. Looks raw as a route runner. Poor spacing at times, and looks uncertain on his marks. Gives the QB a tougher throw as a result and is more of a projection of skillset rather than a refined TE prospect.

2. Was not a good blocker in 2024 and only marginally improved in 2025, particularly vs Ole Miss. Lacks the attitude, technique and size to be a consistently effective blocker as either an inline TE or out in space.

3. Will be interesting to see his H-W-S at the Shrine Bowl and Combine, assuming he is invited. Looked bigger on film in 2025, but also looked to have lost a step of his explosion and quickness on tape that he had in 2024.

4. Production is not among the better TEs in the class. Only had 350+ yards both seasons and 6 TDs, which is not groundbreaking, while he failed to rack up 80 yards in a single game for the Bulldogs in 2 years.

Conclusion

Seydou Traore is one of the more interesting prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. A native of London, England, he moved to the US seeking an opportunity to play Division 1 college football and then pursue a career in the NFL. He is a former receiver, and it shows in his skill set as he's quick out of his routes with soft hands and good YAC ability. However, he looks raw as a prospect with some immaturity as a route runner and blocker, but with a strong Shrine Bowl and pre-draft process, he could turn a few heads and sneak into the top of Day 3.

Grade: 5.7/9.0 (5th-6th round grade)

Player Comp: Jahleel Billingsley

Team Fits: Rams, Bengals, Ravens, Eagles