NFL Draft: Comparing top OL with current recruits
The NFL Draft takes place next week, so today we continue our final look at the top players by position, moving to offensive line, along with a comparison to a class of 2020 or 2021 prospect.
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NFL DRAFT: Comparing top QBs with current recruits | RBs | WRs | TEs | Which conference has produced most ... QBs ... RBs ... WRs
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022: Top 100
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Jedrick Wills, Alabama
Recruiting: Wills committed to Alabama over Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame and Tennessee in November of his senior season.
College stats: Starting all 13 games this past season at right tackle, the Crimson Tide averaged more than 47 points per game and RB Najee Harris rushed for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Projection: Wills could be a top-10 pick and possibly the first offensive lineman taken.
Comparison: Bryce Foster, 2021
Farrell’s take: Wills was a player with a guard's body who could play tackle with great feet and the ability to counter and reset with amazing ease. Foster uses more strength now than anything but his feet are solid and he has the same body type. He could have a similar career as well.
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Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Becton chose Louisville over Virginia Tech, Michigan and Oregon. He was ranked as the seventh-best prospect in Virginia in the 2017 class and the top-ranked offensive lineman.
College stats: Throughout his career, Becton played both right and left tackle. He helped the Cardinals’ offense average more than 33 points per game and 4.9 yards per carry including 23 rushing touchdowns.
Projection: There is a good chance Becton could be a top-10 pick and possibly the first offensive lineman taken.
Comparison: Blake Fisher, 2021
Farrell’s take: Becton was a massive lineman with surprisingly good feet and athleticism. Fisher is the same way and one of the biggest linemen in the last few years. Fisher is more polished at the same stage and it will be interesting if he can maintain and increase his athleticism as Becton did in college.
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Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Recruiting: Iowa and Iowa State were the lone offers for Wirfs, who committed to the Hawkeyes in December of his junior year.
College stats: Wirfs was a high school state champion in the shot put and discus, and also in wrestling, he then mainly played right tackle for the Hawkeyes. He also flipped over and played on the left side as well. Iowa rushed for 17 touchdowns this past season.
Projection: Wirfs is expected to be a top-10 pick and could be the first offensive lineman drafted.
Comparison: Tristan Leigh, 2020
Farrell’s take: Wirfs was raw but very athletic coming out of high school and Leigh is the same way, although a bit more developed and polished at the same stage.
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Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Recruiting: Thomas cut his list to Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame prior to making his pledge to the Bulldogs at The Opening.
College stats: Starting immediately at Georgia, Thomas played both right and left tackle during his time in Athens. This past season he helped an offense averaged more than 30 points per game including a rushing attack that gained nearly five yards per carry with 21 rushing TDs.
Projection: A name that continues to build steam heading into the draft, Thomas could now be an early first-round selection.
Comparison: Broderick Jones, 2020
Farrell’s take: Thomas was an extremely athletic kid who got better each time we evaluated him and had a great frame to fill out. The same can be said for Jones and he will try to follow in his footsteps at Georgia.
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Austin Jackson, USC
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Jackson committed to USC over Arizona State, Oregon and others. His decision was not much of a surprise since his grandfather also played for the Trojans.
College stats: Jackson played almost exclusively at left tackle during his career with the Trojans. This past season USC averaged more than 32 points per game. The Trojans rushed for 18 touchdowns.
Projection: Jackson is expected to go somewhere in the mid-to-late second round.
Comparison: Tommy Brockermeyer, 2021
Farrell’s take: Jackson was an athletic and tall lineman who had a very long frame to fill out and Brockermeyer is similar. Brockermeyer is more filled out and stronger at the same stage and should be an elite left tackle like Jackson.