Jerry Ugokwe, OT, William and Mary: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Each year, we see a slew of intriguing small-school prospects enter the NFL Draft. While they are more difficult to project, some like Jerry Ugokwe, possess enough upside to warrant strong consideration.

William & Mary isn’t considered an NFL factory, churning out top-tier players at the end of every season. Unfortunately, they fall into the “small school” category that brings a label of uncertainty regarding the level of competition and ability to handle the rigors of the NFL. While few have been drafted from William & Mary, and even less have made a reasonable impact, Jerry Ugokwe may be the beginning of a new trend. Ugokwe didn’t start playing football until his Junior year of high school and even had to walk-on when he moved to the collegiate level. However, despite his lack of experience, Ugokwe proved his worth by starting 42 games, including 35 consecutive, after a redshirt freshman year. He would go on to earn multiple honors including third-team FCS All-American as a senior.

Ugokwe has proven he will work to achieve success, but will his talents and skill set translate to the next level?

Measurables

Height: 6’7″

Weight: 325 lbs

Arms: 35 3/8 inches

Hands: 10 3/8 inches

40-yard: 5.61 seconds

Strengths

Jerry Ugokwe is a mountain of a man. Standing 6’7” and weighing in at nearly 325 lbs, Ugokwe has the size that a lot of teams covet on the edges. He has long arms (nearly 36”) and knows how to use them to his advantage. He has great feet and demonstrates good lateral movement. Ugokwe is a good athlete for a man his size, capable of operating adequately in space. Plays with an aggressive and tenacious mean-streak. Shows tremendous effort and never gives up on a block. Has shown good versatility, playing both left and right tackle spots. Great intangibles including a strong work ethic and intelligence. High-character player. Honored as one of the top FCS players in the country.

Weaknesses

Ugokwe’s inexperience shows up on tape. Most of the issues revolve around his technique, which will likely need further development if he is going to transition to the size and speed of the NFL. Needs to do a better job of taking angles in the running game and at the line of scrimmage. At times he appears a little too stiff, needs to work on playing with more flexibility.

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Final thoughts

The Nigerian-born Ugokwe possesses enormous upside. While his technical issues may seem like a hindrance, most coaches will see this as a positive thing. He’s improved each year in college, and his best play is likely ahead of him.

If he can fully take advantage of NFL-level coaching by developing and refining his technique, he has starter potential down the road. An exciting prospect for any team looking for depth along their offensive line.