Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 305 pounds
School: Ole Miss Rebels
Pro Day Results
Bench press (225 pounds): 34 reps
Vertical jump: 28.5 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 3 inches
Laremy Tunsil 2016 NFL Draft Profile
The hype train for Laremy Tunsil has been at full speed for quite some time now. It all began his senior year of high school when he was rated as the top offensive tackle in the nation and 14th best overall prospect by recruiting website Rivals.com. Tunsil would commit to Ole Miss, forming part of head coach Hugh Freeze banner recruiting class of 2013. That influx of talent would include defensive end Robert Nkemdiche and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. Both are expected to join Tunsil as first round draft picks this year.
During Tunsil’s three-year stint in Oxford, he collected a bevy of conference and national honors for his play on the offensive line. He made all-SEC second team as a freshman. In so doing, he became the first of two freshman that year in school history (along with tight end Evan Engram) to earn all-conference accolades. A year later, he was part of a unit that would pave the way for Ole Miss’ offense to finish tenth nationally with 517.5 total yards per game. Though he would miss seven games of his junior season due to receiving impermissible benefits, he was still named to ESPN.com and Athlon’s all-conference first team. And in his entire collegiate career, opposing pass rushers were able to register a measly two sacks against his blocking.
Strengths
- great coordination between upper and lower body.
- effortless footwork allows his frame to stay square when blocking at practically all times.
- hand positioning is top notch; makes it difficult for opposing rushers to gain leverage.
- effectively neutralized some of the nation’s top edge rushers, including Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett and Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah.
- explosive acceleration when needed to block into second and third level.
- knees have phenomenal flexion in pre-snap stance.
- has the ability to combo block and disrupt multiple pursuits.
- went from top high-school prospect to possible number one overall pick in span of three years.
Weaknesses
- could do with some extra body mass to cope with increased physicality of NFL.
- hip movement is a tad lacking in fluidity and is rather robotic at times.
- initial move off the snap can be sluggish.
- isn’t the most bruising of blockers, relying more on finesse.
- could lose a step on speedy, athletic outside linebackers in 3-4 schemes.
- dealt with lower leg injuries all three seasons at Ole Miss, including a fractured fibula his sophomore year.
NFL Comparison: Trent Williams
Teams with Need at Position: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers
Projection: probable first overall pick
Bottom Line
Tunsil is at the top of many a team’s draft boards and for good reason. In today’s NFL, so much of an opponent’s defensive speed and pressure comes from the perimeter. And more and more offensive tackles are having trouble dealing with that pressure before it overwhelms the quarterback and either results in errant passes or sacks. Tunsil’s skill set is among the best in the draft this year. But even then, the jury may be out as to whether he can succeed at the next level. SI’s Peter King wrote a brilliant piece detailing how difficult it has been over the past decade to find a standout tackle in the draft, even with the first few picks.
Having said that, it’s pretty much a virtual certainty he’ll be a top five selection and probably will go first overall. His success as an edge protector in this league will be determined by his ability to adapt to the complexities and variations associated with NFL-level defensive pressure. If he can do that, he’ll get plenty of adoration from his quarterback.
