The fourth new name and unranked prospect featured in this article, an interior offensive lineman currently listed at 5’10, 265 pounds with a 3.4 GPA. He identifies as a center and defensive tackle, and his reported weight room numbers immediately caught my attention. He claims a 475 pound deadlift and a 500 pound squat, both impressive marks for a young lineman with his frame. Those numbers suggest substantial lower body strength, and that is exactly what I was hoping to see translate to his game film. He hasn’t posted anything on Twitter during October, but he did upload a first three games highlight reel in mid September. Checking his Hudl, that tape runs approximately two and a half minutes and provides a useful introduction to a prospect I hadn’t previously evaluated. There is enough here to make me interested in his development, particularly as a center.

One recommendation I would make immediately is that he begin highlighting himself before each snap rather than after the play has already started. That makes it considerably easier for college coaches and evaluators to identify his alignment, recognize his assignment and follow his movement throughout the rep. His opening highlight features an excellent kickout block from the center position, where he works into the proper hole, establishes leverage and drives his defender through the play before finishing with a pancake. I appreciate how effectively he positions his body and uses his strength to create movement. His offense operates primarily from heavy formations, featuring tight splits, multiple tight ends and multiple backs. There is considerable misdirection involved, with different players moving through the backfield and blockers being asked to execute a variety of assignments. Playing center in that type of system requires more than simply being physically strong. He has to understand the blocking scheme, recognize defensive alignments and help coordinate an offensive front operating within a fairly complex rushing attack.

The biggest takeaway from his film is how clearly his reported weightlifting numbers translate to the football field. His lower body strength and base are outstanding, and he consistently demonstrates the ability to generate movement once he establishes proper positioning. At 5’10, he is somewhat undersized compared to the traditional collegiate offensive line prospect, but there is no questioning the power he generates through his legs. His ability to anchor, maintain balance and drive defenders backward is particularly encouraging. When he gets his body into the correct position and establishes leverage, he can be extremely difficult to move. He doesn’t need to rely on overwhelming length to win these reps because his strength, compact build and ability to generate force from the ground up allow him to control defenders at the point of attack.

I also appreciate his mentality as a finisher. He consistently works through the whistle, keeps his legs driving and looks to punish defenders rather than simply completing the initial block. There is some legitimate nastiness to his playing style, and I mean that in a positive sense. He wants to move people, finish them into the ground and create rushing lanes for his teammates. His combination blocking with the guards is another encouraging aspect of his tape. He appears comfortable working in tandem with the interior offensive line, helping establish initial movement before transitioning into his next assignment. He also looks to be a capable communicator, which is an essential quality for a center responsible for helping organize the blocking responsibilities of the entire offensive front. His ability to operate within a heavy, misdirection based offense suggests he has a good understanding of the game and the mental requirements of his position.

There are still questions I want answered regarding his collegiate projection, particularly how his height and length will affect his ability to handle larger defensive linemen and how effectively he moves in pass protection. The available footage provides an encouraging look at his run blocking, but I would like to see a more complete collection of reps against different defensive fronts before settling on an appropriate grade. His reported strength numbers are excellent, and his tape supports the idea that he is a powerful interior lineman, but I also want to evaluate his lateral movement, hand placement and ability to recover when a defender gains an initial advantage. Those details will become increasingly important as he progresses toward the next level.

Overall, I believe this is a rankable prospect who deserves considerably more attention than he has received so far. His 500 pound squat and 475 pound deadlift are impressive on their own, but what matters most is that his lower body strength shows up consistently in his blocking. He has a strong base, generates movement, finishes with physicality and appears comfortable handling the communication and assignment responsibilities that come with playing center. I would love to see him in person at some point, particularly to get a better understanding of his movement ability and how he matches up against quality interior defensive linemen. I also hope he continues uploading film as the season progresses, because there is plenty here worth showcasing. This is a promising new discovery with legitimate strength and an encouraging foundation for further development at center.