It’s actually the turn of the defensive linemen to go though the weigh-in/measurement session at the scouting combine in Indianapolis this morning. However, there were some interesting observations that came out of yesterday’s weigh-in for the offensive linemen yesterday. On the whole, it was a pretty good looking group – at least for offensive linemen. Among the guys considered to be in the top tier of OTs, for example, Andrew Thomas of Georgia certainly looked the part of a legitimate top 10 prospect. Thomas measured in at 6-5, 315 with the long (36-inch plus) arms that NFL teams love in their elite LT prospects. Same story for Mehki Becton of Louisville, who literally blocked out the sun at over 6-7 and 364 pounds, while his almost 36″ arms and 11″ hands were also impressive.
On the other hand, both Tristan Wirfs of Iowa and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, who appear to be right there with Thomas at the top of most team’s OT boards, kind of underwhelmed, at least in shorts. Both measured in at under 6-5 – in fact, Wills was barely over 6-4, and both also registered 34″ arm lengths. Those numbers aren’t necessarily disqualifying, and of course, they’ll both get a chance to shine during on-field drills, but they also aren’t the kind of data one generally sees with potential elite OT prospects. And there was a little bit of a similar story for rising Houston OT Josh Jones, who measured in at 6-5, 319, but has less than 34″ arms, while Austin Jackson of USC also checked in at just under 6-5 with just over 34″ arms.
Meanwhile, several other OT prospects aced the eyeball test including underrated Matt Peart of UConn, who measured in at over 6-6 and 318 pounds, plus with quite remarkable 37″ arms, although his hands, at only around 9.5 inches, are smallish relative to the other OTs, most of whom were over 10-inches. Small-school star Alex Taylor of South Carolina State also impressed at 6-8, 308 with 36-inch plus arms and huge 11-inch plus hands. At the same time, Isaiah Wilson of Georgia and Texas Tech’s Terence Steele also made the 35-inch arm length gold standard. On the other hand, a number of OT candidates measured in with under 34-inch arms including Saahdiq Charles of LSU, Jon Runyan of Michigan, Prince Tega Wanogho of Auburn, Wake Forest’s Justin Herron and rising small-school star Ben Bartch of St. John’s, while Oregon’s Calvin Throckmorton, who many teams now are ranking as an OG, was under 33″.
It’s generally harder to get a good read on interior offensive lineman in shorts, but at least a couple stood out in the walk-through including OG John Simpson of Clemson, who measured in at 6-4, 321 with 34-inch arms and 11-inch clubs, while OG Mike Onwenu of Michigan weighed in at a robust 344 pounds with 34.5-inch arms. On the other hand, Fresno State’s Netane Muti, who some people feel could be the first OG off the board this coming April, was under 6-3, and registered under 32″ arms. Again, not necessarily disqualifying, but definitely on the low side of what is generally considered the minimum bar.
The full results are available courtesy of the Steelers Depot site.
