De'Zhaun Stribling

Summary

De’Zhaun “Strib” Stribling (23 years old) is a long, high-cut wide receiver who began his college career at Washington State (2021–2022) before transferring to Oklahoma State (2023-2024) and then grad transferring to Ole Miss for the 2025 season. In 2025, Stribling started throughout the season and recorded 52 receptions for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns, serving as a reliable outside target and vertical threat within Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss’ offense. His 2025 production earned him All-SEC consideration, building on a breakout 2023 season at Oklahoma State where he surpassed 800 receiving yards and established himself as a downfield playmaker prior to transferring. Stribling graduated with a degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies after attending Kapolei High School in Hawaii, where he initially expressed an interest in pursuing an Engineering degree has been vocal about wanting to use his education to bridge the gap between sports technology and athlete performance. Stribling is deeply proud of his Hawaiian heritage and often attributes his footwork and balance to the agility drills he did on the sandy beaches of Hawaii growing up, which helped him lead all Pac-12 freshmen in receiving categories during his first year at Washington State. Stribling is widely viewed as a mature, experienced presence whose route running and ability to stretch the field consistently draw praise from coaches, with no publicly reported significant off-field incidents. Teammates frequently highlight his journey across multiple programs as an indicator of his adaptability and professionalism. From an injury standpoint, Stribling missed most of the 2023 season with a broken wrist and withdrew from the East-West Shrine Bowl due to a “minor undisclosed injury,” but has otherwise been healthy throughout his five years of college.

Strengths

• Boundary Baller: Presents a large target window which quarterbacks can miss slightly and still complete throws. Size and extension make him a viable target in condensed areas, including red zone.

• Vertical Speed: Once he opens up, he can eat cushion and threaten corners who don’t respect his stride length. Can stack corners if he gets a clean release and builds momentum. Comfortable operating in spread concepts with vertical stress elements.

• Above-the-Rim: Comfortable extending and winning on fades, back-shoulders, and downfield throws. Adjusts well to deep balls and maintains awareness of sideline spacing.

• Bad Ass Blocker: Perfect Run Block grade (5.00/5.00) in our system. Will engage and use his frame to wall off defenders in the run game.

Weaknesses

• Press Release: When corners disrupt him at the line, his route timing gets delayed and he doesn’t consistently recover separation. Despite size, doesn’t always play through contact and physical DBs can disrupt his path.

• North-South, Not East-West: Taller frame makes it difficult for him to sink and explode out of cuts. Twitchy DBs can stay attached on intermediate routes.

• Stride Dependent Separator: Needs space to build speed and when routes are compressed, he doesn’t consistently create windows. If he’s not getting downfield opportunities, he doesn’t consistently impact the game underneath.

• Limited YAC Creator: More of a straight-line runner who doesn’t consistently make defenders miss or break tackles in space.

Outlook

Stribling projects as a long, fluid perimeter receiver with a large catch radius, smooth build-up speed, and the ability to win downfield and at the catch point, giving him clear upside as a boundary “X” target. He fits best in vertical and play-action based passing offenses that emphasize deep shots, back-shoulder throws, and intermediate crossers, allowing him to use his stride length and ball tracking rather than relying on quick-twitch separation. Stribling is trending as a Day 2 prospect with a Round 2–3 projection and would be strong schematic fit for clubs seeking bigger outside receivers who can stretch the field and win in tight coverage.

Pro Comparison: Breshad Perriman

Team Fits: CLE, KC, NO, MIA, CHI