From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Eastern Washington wide receiver Efton Chism III.
No. 7 EFTON CHISM III, WR, EASTERN WASHINGTON (Senior) — 5010, 185 POUNDS
-2025 East-West Shrine Bowl participant
MEASUREMENTS
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Efton Chism III | 5010/185 | 9 1/8″ | 30 1/8″ | 73 3/8″ |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.71 | 1.62 | 4.06 | 6.77 | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 9’10” | 34 1/2″ | 16 |
THE GOOD
-Exceptional route runner with good burst into and out of his cuts
-Has impressive explosion within sudden movements; able to create separation in the blink of an eye
-Good feel for how to change speeds within routes, throwing defenders off and allowing him to win
-Tough at the catch point; strong hands to pluck the ball consistently
-Big-play threat that is much faster in pads than his testing times would show
-Full route tree out of the slot; can run anything asked of him
-Able to create things after the catch; good contact balance and lower body strength to battle through contact
-Production is through the roof, albeit at a lower level of competition
THE BAD
-Testing times were slightly disappointing, especially 40 time. More quick than fast
-Play strength a concern transitioning to next level; needs to add some muscle
-Length a concern; won’t out jump many defenders at the next level in contested-catch situations
-A lot of wide-open plays in EWU’s spread offense, leading to explosive production
-Didn’t see much high-level defensive talent during his career
-Willing blocker, but doesn’t have the strength or the length to handle himself in one-on-one blocking situations
BIO
-Played in 53 career games at Eastern Washington across five seasons
-Set an FCS record with 50 straight games with a reception
-Finished career with 346 career receptions for 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns
-Hauled in 120 passes for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024
-Sits inside top 3 in every major receiving category in program history alongside Cooper Kupp and Kendrick Bourne
-First-team All-Big Sky in 2024 and an AP first-team All-American
-Finished with six games with at least 100 receiving yards in 2024 and broke school record for receptions in 2024.
-Former 3-star recruit out of Kirkland, Washington
-Was an all-conference basketball player during his time in high school
-Enjoys spray painting in his free time and wears custom cleats for every game
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Over the past decade, Eastern Washington has produced some good NFL receivers, such as Cooper Kupp and Kendrick Bourne. Both just so happen to be inside the top three of every major receiving statistic in program history and went on to have very productive NFL careers.
Soon, they’ll be joined by another dominant receiver in program history. That would be Efton Chism III, who owns the Eagles’ all-time receptions record and finds his name alongside Kupp’s and Bourne’s in the program record books at receiver.
Chism doesn’t have the name recognition that Kupp and Bourne have, but he certainly has the game, even as an under-the-radar prospect ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Chism had a dominant final season at Eastern Washington, posting video game numbers with 121 receptions for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was a late addition to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl and had a breakout week there, putting himself on the radar.
Looking at the tape, it’s understandable why he hit the ground running at the Shrine Bowl and had such a great week. He’s a dynamic route runner who creates easy separation and can run away from defenders in the open field. His route running is his calling card.
Here against Idaho in the 2024 season, watch how Chism can get into and out of his cut quickly to win for the score.
The footwork is very good from Chism. There’s no wasted movement. He’s quick in and out, and he can win cleanly.
Same thing against Montana during the 2024 season.
In motion before the snap to come in tight, Chism can win quickly off the line and gets into and out of his cut quickly to win outside for the score.
These types of plays are all over his tape.
Time and time again, Chism found himself wide open in Eastern Washington’s offense. He was able to take the top off defenses and somehow found himself getting behind players despite his reputation in the Big Sky Conference.
Though it’s an easy pitch and catch with him so open, you can see the contact balance and the strength after the catch, as it takes multiple defenders to get Chism to the sideline before getting him on the ground.
He was very dynamic out of the slot for Eastern Washington during his tenure. While an up-tempo, spread attack helped create some of those video game numbers, Chism still had to capitalize on the opportunities.
To his credit, he did. He knows how to finish off plays.
He excels in his route running by varying speeds with his release and then his gait within the routes. That’s where he’s nuanced and able to stand out among other receivers in the class.
Having the ability to change his tempo with the throttle within routes shows he’s advanced. Often, young receivers know just one speed. They’re too rushed in routes and don’t know how to slow it down—not Chism. Having a relationship with Kupp certainly helped there.
Look at how he’s able to slow-play this off the line on his release, then watch the little delay with a skip before bursting across the formation. He already knows he has inside leverage and will win, so there’s no reason to rush on the route.
It leads to a big play with him in space.
CONCLUSION
Overall, Chism is one of the more intriguing receivers in the draft class. His production is through the roof, and he stood out in a major way on a big stage like the Shrine Bowl, especially after being a late addition just hours before things kicked off. He’s an outstanding route runner with impressive short-area quickness and has shown over the years the ability to win time and time again.
The long speed, the length, and questions about competition level and scheme will hinder him, but Chism profiles as a dynamic slot receiver who can become a sure-handed receiver and a quarterback’s best friend. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Stokley.
Projection: Day 3 (Round 6)
Depot Draft Grade: 6.7 — Backup/Special Teamer
Games Watched: UC Davis (2024), Idaho (2024), Montana (2024), Idaho State (2024), Southeastern Louisiana (2024)
