LSU’s Ethan Pocic is one of the top rated interior offensive linemen eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft.
At 6’7, 309 pounds, Louisiana State University offensive lineman Ethan Pocic is a mountain of a man, and he needs to in order to make holes for the LSU single season rushing record holder Leonard Fournette. Pocic enters his senior season as one of the most coveted centers in next year’s draft.
Durability being a key part of the center’s game, Pocic played every offensive snap in 8 of the Tiger’s 12 regular season games last year while playing the second most snaps (796) of anyone on the LSU offensive line.
Pocic took over the full-time center duties in his sophomore season as he started in 12 of the 13 regular season games for Les Miles’ Tigers.
Next to his durability Pocic thrives on point of attack. Rarely getting pushed back after snapping the ball, showing his abilities ‘in the phone booth’ stuffing nose tackles and other weary pass rushers in their tracks.
For a lineman standing 6’7, Pocic shows good fundamentals, moving his feet very well in the trenches as well as above average hip rotation to prevent holding calls. He gets into trouble when he relies too much on his pure brute strength and athleticism and not technique. A testament to his strength, Pocic has recorded 216 knockdown blocks over his three-year career, including 132.5 in his junior campaign (according to “www.lsusports.net”).
Another draft stock booster is Pocic’s motor. A player that plays until he hears the whistle. His athleticism along with his high motor provide for a reliable, relentless pass blocker.
The knock(s) on Pocic has to do with his indecisiveness and pad-level. When he’s required to pull across the formation to take on a linebacker or another player that is more athletic, often times he attempts to do too much (i.e. trying to block two players instead of one, picking out a defender too far up field, lack of efficiency in picking his assignment) which allow defenders to sneak in behind and get a tackle in the backfield.
The other knock is his pad-level. Standing at 6’7 he can bend at the waist really well but as mentioned earlier, he likes to rely on brute strength alone which smarter defenders leverage to their advantage.
Improvements in pad-level and decision-making during the play will only solidify his draft stock as one of the best centers in the draft.
Prediction: Late 1st to early 2nd