Measurables
- 6‘0 Height
- 207 lb. Weight
2025 Stats
- 18 Receptions Allowed / 27 Targets = 62.1% Completion Percentage Allowed when Targeted
- 145 Yards Allowed (8.1 Yards per Reception)
- 42 Yards After Catch Allowed (2.3 YAC per Reception)
- 3 Touchdowns Allowed
- 2 Interceptions
- 4 Pass Break Ups
- 80.4 Passer Rating Allowed
- 91.1 Coverage Grade
- 72 Solo Tackles
- 27 Assisted Tackles
- 9 Missed Tackles (8.3% Missed Tackle Rate)
- 30 Run Stops
- 4 Pressures / 5 Pass Rush Snaps = 80% Pressure Rate
- 2 QB Hits
- 0 Sacks
- 1 Penalty
Awards/Accolades
- First Team All American (2025)
- First Team All Big 10 (2025)
- Third Team All American (2023)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2023)
- Big 10 Freshman of the Year (2023)
Strengths
- One of the best Coverage Safeties in the Draft. Smart instincts with good vision and quick, fluid hips to change direction and mirror in man or to pursue as a Deep Centerfielder. Smooth backpedal at all depths.
- Highly versatile, can play at Free Safety in Single High, come down into the Box for extra run support as a Strong Safety, and provide some slot coverage in nickel formations as well. He was predominantly a Free Safety in 2023-2024 with 1,152 snaps there compared to 298 in the Box and did very well (3 TDs allowed, 6 INTs, 7 Passes Deflected, 66.7% Completion Percentage allowed) but in 2025 dominated while shifting as a Strong Safety for most of the season (434 snaps in the Box to 247 as a Free Safety).
- Willing run support, will come up to hit very quickly and wraps up very well.
- Nice ball skills with 6 career INTs in just 68 targets.
- Competitive, was a leader on the Oregon Ducks and willing to never give up on a play in coverage or in pursuit.
Weaknesses
- Can be fooled by QB’s eyes at times and looked off from other receivers.
- Not the biggest Safety and can be stuck on blocks if not using good form with active hands to shed blockers. Might need to bulk up a bit to help add mass in anchor and a bit more power in his tackles.
- Bites on Play Action at times getting him out of position.
- Needs better pursuit angles, can misread the ball carriers’ direction and make tackle attempts harder by being over aggressive.
- Can be a tick faster in processing certain route combinations and knowing where to go. Usually a strong point but there have been some moments of hesitation on tape.
Draft Projection
Round 2 Grade
Thieneman has shown a lot of high end play over the course of his college career no matter where he has lined up. That versatility will be valuable to any professional team, with his ability to fit on to a lot of schemes in a variety of roles. He is not slacking in the athleticism department either, as he is expected to test very well as a Feldman Freak.
Thieneman was ranked 51st on the initial Top 100 Big Board with a Round 2 Grade and I’m sticking to that grade (though his overall placement is likely to change). He still needs work on a little more consistency in the mental side of the game, but the gaffes aren’t that common. But between his tackling reliability, ball skills, backpedal and smooth hips, high end athleticism for range and pursuit, competitiveness and leadership, all while being able to line up nearly anywhere in the defensive backfield; Thieneman feels like one of the safer picks of the draft.
That isn’t to imply that there isn’t a high ceiling for him either, the potential for him is high as well. Expect this former Boilermaker & Duck to make an impact quickly in the NFL. If he were to land with the Colts, the Westfield High School alum coming home to play for the Colts would likely be a dream come true. Being able to play alongside Cam Bynum would be a wonderful boon, as Bynum also has strong versatility and a high football IQ to help to mentor and fine tune Thieneman’s instincts. The amount of playmaking, interchangeability, reliability, athletic range, and overall strong vibes of fun and leadership that pair could bring to the Colts Defense is very tempting to pair.
While Safety might not be the top need for the Colts to address in 2026, starter Nick Cross and backup Rodney Thomas II are Free Agents with expiring rookie deals. Backups Hunter Wohler and Daniel Scott have had struggles in staying healthy. The position will need to be addressed in someway in the offseason. Should the Colts prioritize addressing other needs in Free Agency or the board doesn’t fall right to address other top needs like Defensive Line or Linebacker, adding Thieneman in Round 2 could be a strong pivot to secure the defensive backfield. Safety is a crucial position in the Lou Anarumo scheme with all of the pre-snap disguises and post snap coverage shifts, so Football IQ and communication are essential on the field in the back end of the Defense. Having a duo of Thieneman and Bynum together could go a long way in the rebuild of the Colts Defense.
