Joe Thuney was redshirted his freshman season and played pretty much every position after that. He didn’t see the starting lineup until the 2013 season where he was listed as the team’s starting center. He ended up playing right guard and left tackle, was elected to the team leadership council, and given the Jim Richter Award for most valuable offensive lineman.
As a junior he missed four games with illness, but was still one of the best on the Wolfpack o-line at left guard and played every snap in eight of the nine games he was healthy.
Last season he started at center and was a leader on the line. In his final season, he started at left tackle and earned his way to a first team All-ACC selection line.
Thuney was a two-star prospect out of Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio where he chose NC State over Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
Measurables:
Still Curtain
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 304lbs.
Arm Length: 32 1/4″
Hands: 9 5/8″
Workout Results:
40-yd Dash: 4.92 seconds (best in his position group)
Three Cone Drill: 7.47 seconds
20-yd Shuttle: 4.54 seconds
Bench Press Reps: 28
Broad Jump: 110″
Games Watched:
2015: Mississippi State, Louisville
Strengths:
Thuney is very versatile considering he played (and excelled) at guard, center, and tackle. He can be plugged in at any position on the offensive line and succeed. He does his job and is a good run blocker who worked well with a mobile quarterback behind him in college.
He is also fast and shown by running the fastest 40-yd dash time in his position group at the NFL Combine. He is fast enough to get downfield and block on runs that call for it. Thuney is very smart, and can see blitzes coming in, and understand his assignment changes if they happen.
He is very athletic, and can match up well against fast edge rushers.
Weaknesses:
Thuney has small arms and hands for an offensive lineman, making his reach not ideal for an NFL offensive lineman. He has a noticeably lean frame on tape, and isn’t built like the prototypical lineman.
While he is fast, he doesn’t have good foot quickness. The lack of the footwork and the short arm reach are the biggest knocks on his stock. On tape he struggled to stop highly regarded prospect Chris Jones off the edge. On tape you notice his constant and useless hand movement.
Overview:
Thuney has limited potential as a guard or tackle, but could eventually start at center. He has the versatility and skills that coaches love, and could become a reliable backup or practice squad player. He has skills, but will be hindered by his size. His lack of foot quickness and the inability to reach will harm his stock, his only real chance to make it is to play center.