Luke Kandra NFL Draft Overview
Position: OG
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 319 pounds
School: Cincinnati
2025 NFL Draft: Luke Kandra Scouting Report
Luke Kandra is a local product who spent three years at Louisville before returning home to play at the University of Cincinnati after following Scott Satterfield to town. He enters the 2025 NFL Draft on an upward trajectory, and it will be interesting to see where professional scouts have him slotted.
Kandra has blossomed into a solid prospect at right guard for the Bearcats and earned several honors, such as the Walter Camp Second-Team and AP Third-Team All-America honors in 2023, before backing it up with another stellar campaign in 2024. He’s powerful at the point of attack and has a prototypical size for a guard at the next level.
As a senior, Kandra was a remarkably consistent performer and team captain. He also helped running back Corey Kiner reach 1,000 rushing yards for a second consecutive season. Kandra tested very well athletically, with his Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.35, which puts him in exclusive company.
Strengths
- Broad frame with powerful hands;
- Above-average in pass protection;
- Relentless run blocker who plays to the end of the whistle;
- Very disciplined player;
- Moves well laterally;
- High football intelligence;
- Plays with great balance and control;
- Explosive quickness on the snap;
- Extremely durable and well-conditioned.
Weaknesses
- Plays too stiff at times;
- Inconsistent hand placement;
- Lacks positional versatility on the OL;
- Occasionally loses patience against rushers with varied moves;
- Gets redirected easily.
NFL Comparison: Wyatt Davis
Teams With Need At Position: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs
Projection: Early Day Three Selection
Bottom Line on Luke Kandra
The bottom line on Kandra is that he’s an intelligent football player with plenty of experience. Although he’s likely limited to right guard, he does have several positive traits to build on as he gets accustomed to life in the league. The biggest feather in Kandra’s cap is his durability on a game-by-game basis. The team that drafts him will be taking somewhat of a chance on his potential upside, based on some noted inconsistencies. Still, that bet might pay off as he has the power and tremendous size for a guard that could carry him through early in his career. With the proper coaching and a favorable landing spot, Kandra can silence his detractors.
*Stats and research provided courtesy of the Pro Football Network (PFN) and NFL.com
Main Photo: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
