By Ricky Eisenbart, PSO Director NFL Scouting
Apr 09, 2021

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 

Pos: OT

Hometown: Petersburg, VA

School: Virginia Tech

Class: Junior

Age: 12/2/2000 (21)

Height: 6’5″ * | Weight: 314 lbs *

Hands: N/A | Arms: N/A 

Bench: N/A  | 40-YD: N/A

*Unofficial measurements
  • 1st-Team All-ACC — 0 sacks, 6 total pressures allowed in 2020
  • 95.6 PFF grade (2nd among OTs), 90+ RBK, PBK, ZONE grades
  • Reduced pressure rate from sophomore season in half (4.3% to 2%)
  • 2,316 career snaps at LT over 34 career games
  • Started every VA Tech game at LT in 2019 and 2020

Pros

  • Prototypical size (6’5″, 315 lbs) and well-built frame
  • Very powerful, quick hands
  • Quality arm length
  • Great mobility for his size
  • Nimble and flexible lower-half
  • Natural all-around athlete
  • 3-star recruit, top-ranked overall prep school player in 2018

 

Cons

  • No Pro Day data — height, weight, length, etc.

 

Grade: A

Pros

  • Terrific foot speed to gain depth in pass sets
  • Hips are quite loose, quality mirror ability
  • Balanced extension by virtue of his length
  • Powerful hands and quality functional strength
  • Good body positioning, knows how to seal off and create a lane
  • Mobile run-blocker, puller — quickly advances to 2nd level
  • Keeps good leverage and overall body control
  • Tremendous growth from sophomore to junior year

 

Cons

  • Wins the matchup but doesn’t always bother burying defenders
  • Tendency to open hips too early rather than riding rusher past QB
  • Tunnel vision at times, missing a stunt or blitzer
  • Technique can get sloppy after the initial engagement

 

Grade: A-

 

Pros

  • 1st-Team All-ACC, 2nd-highest graded OT in 2020 (95.6) 
  • Tremendous growth from sophomore to junior season
  • 4.3% pressure rate in 2019 dropped to 2% 
  • Zero sacks and hits allowed in 2020
  • Excellent run-block (94.5), pass-block (90.8), and zone (95.3) grades
  • Quality 80.8 PFF grade in true pass sets
  • 2-year starter, 2,317 career snaps (all but 1 at LT)

 

Cons

  • Only 1 season of top-tier production (with under 300 pass-blocking snaps)
  • 29 total pressures allowed through first 2 years (7 sacks)
  • Run-heavy offense — lower % of pass reps each season
  • Only 291 true pass sets — 3 sacks, 4 hits, 17 hurries

 

Grade: A-

Pros

  • Ideal frame (6’5″, 315 lbs) and length for franchise OT
  • Prototypical athlete, fantastic movement skills
  • Quality body control and positioning
  • Drastic improvement each season — 68.6 to 80.3 to 95.6
  • Constant development & strength shows strong work ethic
  • Almost 3 full seasons (2,317 snaps) as a Power-5 starting LT
  • Natural fit for a zone-blocking scheme
  • High-ceiling prospect, high floor as a pass-protector
  • Just 21 years old on Draft Day

 

Cons

  • Can seem complacent with athleticism, gets sloppy
  • Would like to see him finish off blocks and play more aggressive
  • Pass-blocking reps decreased each season, under 300 true pass sets
  • Only 1 elite season (17, 12 pressures allowed 2018-19)

 

Grade: A-

Blessed with an ideal frame, long arms, and an outstanding athletic profile, Christian Darrisaw has all the tools to become a stalwart OT. A 2.5-year starter after accepting his only Power-5 offer, the former Hokie displayed tremendous growth each and every year, culminating with an elite junior campaign to cement himself firmly in the first-round conversation.

Shining in pass protection, he didn’t allow a single sack or QB hit this past season. His mobility allows for a quick engagement at the second level while run-blocking, but it translates into quick feet and great depth when setting up to pass-block. He could certainly refine some technical aspects, but he’s proven capable of handling a variety of rushers off the edge with footwork, length, and heavy hands.

Despite that well-built frame and natural strength, however, Darrisaw doesn’t seem to get into a “mean streak” too often. Rather than try to obliterate the man in front of him, he aims to win positioning and seal off defenders. It’d be fun to see him bury his matchup more often, but his body control and consistent execution shouldn’t be overshadowed. 

Ultimately, he’ll be entering a pass-happy league as a high-proficiency pass-blocker — there’s little doubt he’ll be a starter sooner rather than later. He’s not a finished product yet by any means, but the natural power and length he possesses suggest plenty of room to grow and a lofty ceiling. If drafted into a system featuring a number of zone concepts, Christian Darrisaw should experience a relatively seamless transition to the next level.

Pro Comp: OT Russell Okung (Carolina Panthers)

Projected Round: Top-20 Pick

Prime Destinations: DET, CAR, LAC, MIN, LV, WFT, CHI

OVERALL Grade: A-

 

 

 

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