Purdue’s offensive line has been anchored by star tackle Marcus Mbow for multiple years now, and he continues to perform at a high level. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report and film analysis on him.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Purdue OL Marcus Mbow
Measurables:
- 6’5”
- 300 lbs
Player Background:
Hailing from Wauwatosa East HS in Wisconsin, Marcus Mbow committed to the Purdue Boilermakers as a three-star prospect. A Top-75 offensive tackle in the nation, he got onto the field early in his career. He appeared in four of the team’s games in 2021, posting a 62.2 PFF grade and playing left guard, right guard, and right tackle. Keeping his redshirt, he came out for his second season with Purdue as their starting RG.
A key component to their strong rushing game, Mbow started all 14 games with an improved 71.0 grade. An injury derailed his 2023 campaign after six games, all of which he played at RT. He put up a 70.2 grade in said games, with a solid 76.4 pass-blocking grade, So far in 2024, he’s started all 11 of the team’s games at RT. His PFF grade of 76.5 is the best of his career, and he’s been a bright spot for the Boilermakers.
Accolades:
- Honorable Mention All-Big 10 (2022)
- Second Team Freshman All-American (2022)
- Honorable Mention All-Big 10 (2023)
- Athlon Sports Fourth Team All-Big 10 (2024)
Strengths/Pros:
Mbow has a fantastic foundation as a prospect, with an NFL-caliber frame and fluid overall athleticism. He moves well both laterally and downfield, frequently getting himself into good positions to pick up his assignments. He has experience at three offensive line positions, giving teams immediate versatility anywhere on the line. His kick step is explosive and smooth, granting him initial leverage on outside rushes. He has quick enough footwork to intercept outside and inside rushes against speed rushers.
His mid-play non-contact adjustments are impressive, working both on and off pass rushers when they show him different looks. Mbow’s arms are violent and powerful, repeatedly throwing defenders around. His handwork is nuanced, allowing him to counter a multitude of moves with precision. He wastes no time when he gets leverage, pummeling defenders into the ground and eliminating them from the play whenever he gets the chance.
Weaknesses/Cons:
His footwork noticeably declines as the play develops, losing his anchor in the post-kick step transition. Mbow is far too choppy and jittery overall, rarely containing defenders. He seems to always be trying to either overpower EDGEs or frantically recover from initial losses. His anchor needs serious work in his lower half, staying too upright and not allowing himself to sink down and let his size work.
Mbow’s hands tend to be late against faster, more athletic rushers and allows them to get around him too much. His contact balance gets thrown off when working into the second level, and he loses most effectiveness after initial engagement. He gets sloppy in all aspects too often, visible in his career-long proneness to penalties. He also suffered a serious leg injury in 2023, which is something to monitor.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Mbow’s stockier build and prior experience at guard means that he should get pushed inside at the next level. His nastiness and athletic ability will cause teams to covet him, likely on Day 2, and he’s flashed pure dominance on several occasions. He will need to learn how to anchor blocks rather than try to drive defenders backward but he has a solid prospect structure that could lead to him being a long-term starter.
Prospect Grade:
- Mid 3rd Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. Oregon
- 2024 vs. Illinois
- 2024 vs. Ohio State
Main Photo: [Alex Martin/Journal and Courier] – USA Today Sports
