Centers - 2023 Ourlads' Draft Preview

Dave Syversten
12/07/2022 1:27PM ET

1. Patterson, Jarrett

Notre Dame  6047  307

Four year starter from Laguna Hills, CA.  Third team All-ACC in 2020 when the Fighting Irish joined conference play.  Showing more versatility in 2022 as he lines up at left guard and continues to play at a high level.  Plays with a wide, sturdy, and active base.  Productive initial steps that turn him into position with an accurate initial strike.  Heavy hands and consistent knee bend will give him leverage advantages with a lot of initial wins.  Handles the bull rush on an island naturally.  Shows the occasional lack of speed to three techniques and linebackers in space.  Overall athletic ability may limit his scheme-fits.

 

2. Schmitz, John Michael

Minnesota  6034  315

Four year starter from Flossmoor, IL.  Second team All-Big Ten in 2021.  A general of the line, a true leader both physically and intellectually.  Dependable brain inside paired with a wide, sturdy frame that gets movement off the ball.  Has overwhelming power when everything is lined up.  Mechanically sound when it comes to the hand-work.  Wrestling background shows as he understands angles and hidden opportunities one can have within engagement.  Does not always reach the lateral points fast enough and has a hard time re-directing his weight on the move.

 

3. Forsyth, Alex

Oregon  6036  313

 

Three year starter from West Linn, OR.  Leader of the line both on and off the field.  Shot caller that has the reputation of portraying a coach pre-snap.  Intelligent forecaster and decision maker.  Shows the sudden hands post-snap that carry some heavy weights to them.  Keeps the feet active and head on a swivel.  Rarely caught out of position and seamlessly picks up and hands off the stunts/twists.  Absorbs contact well and immediately fights for the inside hand position.  Does not have enough range to portray a weapon in zone-heavy schemes.

 

4. Stromberg, Ricky

Arkansas  6034  314

Four year starter from Tulsa, OK.  Second team All-SEC in 2021.  Has seen extensive time at all three interior positions.  A power gap-blocker that gets consistent movement off the bal with a top heavy frame.  Violent punch and an effective forward lean while he stays attached.  Does not always make it look pretty but shows consistent levels of high production.  Can screw himself into the ground against the bull rush and prevent pocket from shrinking.  A steady pass protector against traditional interior linemen but will struggle against quicker rushers that play low to ground.  Needs to get his feet off the ground quicker.

 

5. Avila, Steve

TCU  6034  339

Three year starter from Arlington, TX.  Big time versatility as he has seen action at every position other than left tackle.  Has the frame for multiple spots and the brain for the middle of the line.  Power-blocker with an explosive get off that will combine for movement off the snap.  Re-directs well in the passing game and shows ability to recover if he is initially beat. Plays wide and strong.  Hands are heavy and sticky.  Needs better secondary movement, as he has a tendency to screw himself into the ground too soon.  

 

6. Downing, Trevor

Iowa State  6033  300

 

7.  Wypler, Luke

Ohio State  6030  300

 

8. Oluwatimi, Olusegun

Michigan  6030  310

 

9. Scruggs, Juice

Penn State  6025  314

 

10. Jurgens, Michael

Wake Forest  6044  296

 

11. Haynesworth, Sincere

Tulane  6010  285

 

12. Staats, Rusty

Western Kentucky  6036  302

 

13. Uluave, Alama

San Diego State  6015  306

 

14. Gibson, Grant

North Carolina State  6011  311

 

15. Samac, Nick

Michigan State  6030  300

 

16. Anderson, Spencer

Maryland  6046  322

 

16. Gerace, Michael

Maine  6036  314

 

17. Cindric, Matthew

California  6033  294

 

*Denotes Underclassman