6’3” – 310 lbs.
Was an offensive guard recruit out of high school. Redshirted in 2015, then played on special-teams units over seven games the following year before sustaining a season-ending neck injury. Was a thirteen-game starter at left guard in his sophomore year, then started twelve games at the position the following year. Took over as the team’s center for Elgton Jenkins (a second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers.) Named a team captain as a senior. Comes with a pro-ready build right out of the gate; has solid height and excellent bulk for an interior lineman, although his length measurements will be interesting to see. Has something like the game his size would suggest. At his best when he’s run-blocking in a phone booth. Generates some good pop on contact, plays with good functional strength, and demonstrates the aggressive, physical temperament and leg drive to create push and occasionally finish opponents. Strong enough to wall-off defenders and keep them sealed away from the play. Very good grip strength to sustain. Was asked to block on the move a little bit but didn’t look as comfortable in that capacity; just an average athlete overall who plays with a reduced sense of urgency in space and may not be fast enough to reach opponents even with greater effort. Balance issues can crop up because of what looks like a possible lack of length, combined with his aggressive style; will end up bending at the waist or falling off of blocks. Overall hand placement needs work; gets extension with his arms, but tends to get grabby and could prove penalty-prone at the next level unless he makes adjustments. Relies on his bulk in pass protection. Does demonstrate the ability to bend his knees and keep his back straight, but his lateral movement skills are not the quickest or most fluid. Could do a better job of seeking out opponents to block when unoccupied. Occasionally lets opponents into his pads, forcing him to catch them and drop a late anchor. However, arm extension and overall lower-body strength are solid. Has a powerful shove which can knock opponents off-balance. A thickly-built interior lineman with three years of SEC starting experience between the guard and center positions, and who was named a team captain in his senior year, he comes with the type of power and nastiness teams look for but still has some technical shortcomings and may not appeal to teams that look for athletic linemen. May be more of a reserve or dirty starter.
DRAFTEXAMINER 