North Carolina State’s Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu is one of the cleanest offensive linemen in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft, with elite physical characteristics, and off-the-charts band and production. His versatility in tackling as well as guarding could help him become the first offensive lineman on board in a deep class.
Here’s all you need to know about Wolfpack’s dominant blocker:
Vitalen
Height: 6-4
Weight: 310
Class: Junior
40 time: 4.93
Strengths
Ekwonu is a prototypical left tackle with excellent size and athleticism. He uses these qualities to consistently dominate the opponent’s defensive game, as he has only given up three sacks on 500 shots during the 2021 season, including an eight-game streak where he has not given up.
Ickey’s strongest character is blocking his run. He is a ferocious mauler who likes to roll through defenders with ease, using his state champion wrestling skills to move defenders and opening massive holes for ball carriers. When you look at his band, it becomes very clear that NC State’s run game is designed to run through Ekwonu, and he should see similar results at the next level, as he excels in all run-based schemes like tackle or guard.
His long limb and athletic build will serve him well on the next level as he is held back as a franchise left tackle for whatever team he chooses.
Weaknesses
Ekwonu’s ferociousness can be a double-edged sword, leading to technical errors in pass protection, where he can sometimes be caught being too aggressive and forgetting the finer points of his technique.
While his athleticism has kept his shortcomings in pass protection, it can keep him at the NFL level where everyone is an elite athlete. Ekwonu needs to focus on keeping his feet and hands in sync, and not keep his feet still while moving his hands into position, which he has caught on several occasions during his college career.
The coach has to work on refining his footwork, and working his hands and feet at the same time with his elite physical tools to shape him into a top-level tackle.
Projection
Ekwonu will be highly regarded as a versatile offensive lineman with elite characters who can effectively play various positions. Its length, athleticism and character will be admired by the teams at the top of the design, as the very coachable tackle can be shaped into a franchise cornerstone and blindside protector for the next decade or more.
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