PSO Scouting Report: OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: OT

Hometown: Lithonia, GA

School: Georgia

Class: Junior

Age: 21

Height: 6’5″ (57%) | Weight: 315 lbs (63%)

Hands: 10.25” (70%) | Arms: 36” (97%)

Bench: 21 reps (21%) | 40-YD: 5.22s (61%)

Facts to Know

SEC Jacobs Blocking Award winner (2019)
2x 1st-Team All-American (2018, Unanimous in 2019)
2x 1st-Team All-SEC (2018, 2019)
92.4 overall PFF grade in 2019 ranked 3rd among all OL
Allowed just 1 sack, 9 total pressures in 2019

Physical Tools

Pros

Terrific lateral agility & overall movement ability
Good hip flexibility and lower body strength
Incredibly long arms (36”!!) — 97th percentile
Lower body strength is a plus
Adequate functional athleticism

Cons

Just a 105.5 SPARQ rating — 53rd percentile of OTs
Recorded only 21 bench reps — 21st percentile
Doesn’t necessarily have an ideal build

Grade: B+

Game Film

Pros

Very Consistent game-to-game, play-to-play
Moves with ease for 315 lbs
Road-grading run blocker
Already has a quality kick slide
Effectively utilizes great length
Functional strength shows up on film
Terrific on combination blocks

Cons

Technique in pass sets could use improvement
Needs to seize control more often with great length and hands
Often times protected by a TE to his side

Grade: A-

Production

Pros

Won the SEC Jacobs Blocking Award in 2019
2x 1st-Team All-American (2018 & Unanimous selection in 2019)
2x 1st-Team All-SEC (2018, 2019)
Allowed just 1 sack, 9 total pressures in 2019
92.4 overall PFF grade (3rd among all OL)
Consistent year-to-year improvements (68.4 PFF grade to 80.6 to 92.4 overall)
83.5 PFF grade in true pass sets
3-year starter — 2 at LT, 1 at RT

Cons

Weaker in gap blocking assignments (66.2 PFF grade)

Grade: A

Risk

Pros

Handled the SEC’s best EDGE talent on a weekly basis as 3-year starter
Elite production and significant improvement each season
Familiar with pro-style concepts
Comfortable on either side (started at both RT and LT)
Fantastic combination of length and lower body strength
Instantly an impact run blocker

Cons

Run-heavy offensive scheme — 55% of career snaps
Technique goes by the wayside if he gets jarred on initial contact
Mediocre frame and athleticism, but functional

Grade: A-

Overall

A consistent blindside protector and powerful run blocker, it’s difficult to ignore Andrew Thomas’ production. The 2x All-American and 2019 SEC Jacobs Award winner graded out as the 3rd-best OL in FBS despite facing top-tier competition on a weekly basis.

An average overall athlete, Thomas’ greatest physical quality is his length and strength. Despite a poor bench performance at the combine, his functional strength is evident on film. Combined with 36″ arms, most edge rushers won’t stand a chance once he can consistently seize control after striking. With his extended experience and outstanding production, Thomas is arguably the “safest” among the elite OT prospects in the class of 2020.

Pro Comp: OT Ronnie Stanley (Baltimore Ravens)

Projected Round: Top-15 Pick

Prime Destinations: NYG, CAR, ARZ, CLE, NYJ

OVERALL Grade: A-