2025 Ourlads' Draft Preview: Centers

Gene Nudo
10/02/2024 6:17PM ET

1. Monheim, Jonah

USC  6050  310

Three year starter, Moorpark, CA. Second team All-PAC 12 in 2023. Versatile offensive lineman who has played every position on the line. He has appeared in 40 games in his career, with 34 starts (18 games at right tackle, 12 games at left tackle and 4 times at right guard). Monheim, a returning captain and veteran standout on the Trojan offensive line, makes the move to center as a redshirt senior in 2024. Big frame, runs very well, excellent out on the corner on screens. Likes to mix it up in the trenches. Powerful, can move defenders out.  Finishes plays. Brings the ball back consistently on the snap. Uses his long arms and reach to his advantage in pass protection with ability to react to various moves. Remember, Monheim is in his first season as a center, but to this point he doesn’t appear to be overwhelmed by this new position. Having played up and down the line, his versatility is a big plus.

 

2. Brailsford, Parker*

Alabama  6020  290

One year starter at Alabama from Mesa, AZ. Was a starter as a redshirt freshman at Washington before following his coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama. This redshirt sophomore is in his first season with Crimson Tide. A gritty finisher, Brailsford has excellent hands and feet. Has controlled short choppy steps and an explosive first step to the edge on defensive tackles. Holds up the nose guard on the front end of the scoop block. Shoots his non-snapping hand into the numbers of defenders. Very mobile, pulls down line with quickness. Helps both guards in keeping strength up the middle. In pass protection he shows quick reactions to defenders' moves and makes easy adjustments against stunts. Has some trouble anchoring against power but has the intangibles teams want in their center. A proven winner, being in the SEC should help elevate his game.

 

3. Foster, Bryce*

Kansas  6050   330

One year starter at Kansas from Katy, TX. Played his first three seasons at Texas A&M where as a freshman he was All-SEC Freshman Team. Red shirt junior is a large body snapping for KU. Started 28 games in the SEC at center. He has a good motor on every play, keeps nice wide base. Will make ‘em run in place when he gets his hands on them. Does the job getting to the second level. In pass protection has solid movement skills and shows exceptional strength to hold up against bull rushers. High football IQ, he makes the line calls and reacts well to stunts. Plays a bit short-armed, sometimes he appears to hop rather than step or shuffle. Needs to bend more, tends to over set. Lack of versatility could be a negative as he has only played center.

 

4. Cox, Eli

Kentucky  6040 309

Four year starter, Nicholasville, KY. Second team All-SEC in 2023. This is his sixth and final season at Kentucky getting the extra year plus a redshirt freshman season. Versatile enough to have played guard and tackle, is starting his third season as the starting center, Cox has played in 44 career games with 35 consecutive starts. Keeps square and get his hands inside very well. Shotgun snaps are very consistent, is a stabilizing force in the center of the line. Gets on the edge of the defender and drives him. Shows stability, possibly could play guard also. In pass pro he can stop bull rushers in their tracks and has agility to mirror interior defender moves. Plays a bit high at the second level. Can be a little slow to recognize stunts. He’s blue collar worker on the offensive line. With his size and strength he’s shown that he can play and compete having been in the ultra tough SEC.

 

5. McLaughlin, Seth

Ohio State  6040   305

One year starter at Ohio State, Buford, GA. First season with the Ohio State football program. He graduated in 2.5 years with a 4.0 grade point average and a degree in finance. Started 24 games over the past three seasons for Alabama. This athletic center is obviously a very intelligent young man. Plays with a great motor and has the athletic ability to get to second level. Good short lateral burst allows him to get on the edge of the defender. Sound feet helps him mirror the man in pass protection. Keeps those feet moving while defender tries to get free. Gets in position to cut off defensive tackle on outside plays. Shows excellent second effort and plays to the whistle. Sometimes over runs the second level block and can play a little high. Should be a prospect for a power running offense.  

 

6. Tollison, Connor

Missouri 6040 287

 

7. Wilson, Jared

Georgia 6030  310

 

8. Jones, Logan

Iowa 6030 293

 

9. Majors, Jake

Texas  6030 315

 

10. Slaughter, Jake

Florida  0640 308

 

11. Mays, Cooper

Tennessee  6020  305

 

12. Smith, Maurice

Florida State 6021 295

 

13. Gideon, Jacob

Western Michigan 6026 291

 

14. Clark, Jakai

SMU 6024 376

 

*Denotes Underclassman