Jackson Powers-Johnson Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Sean Meagher/The Oregonian)

School: Oregon

Class: Junior

Position: Center

HT: 6’3

WT: 320 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #17

Background: Jackson Powers-Johnson was a consensus 4-star recruit and one of the best centers in his class. He is originally from Draper, Utah and played his football for Corner Canyon High School. He was a Second Team All-American as a senior and a two-time all-state pick. He was on a Corner Canyon team that reached three straight state championships, two 6A titles and one 5A title. He was a force on both sides of the ball. He played center and defensive tackle. He has shown positional versatility throughout his career which only adds to his value. Jackson Powers-Johnson committed to Oregon over BYU, Washington State, and others.

College: As a true freshman in 2021, Powers-Johnson played all over the offensive line. Primarily spending the season at right guard, while also playing center and left guard. Jackson played in 12 of the 13 games in 2022 and played a majority of his snaps at right guard. He settled in nicely to that spot and has not given it up since late in his sophomore year. Jackson Powers-Johnson had a superb career at Oregon and solidified himself even better as the best center in the class in the postseason.

Strengths: Jackson is a people mover on the interior of the offensive line. He can get out in space and punish defenders in the open field. He finishes his assignment into the dirt. Powers-Johnson player with a killer instinct. He is a mauler and wants to establish his physical presence with every snap. In the run game, he has no problem finishing the first assignment in the phone booth and quickly moving into the 2nd level of the defense. He is a scheme versatile player’ a truly excellent fit in both zone and gap rushing offenses. Jackson had to adjust to many different coaches throughout his career at Oregon. With new coaching, he adapted to a variety of different roles and schemes. Powers-Johnson does well to keep his shoulders square with the defender in pass protection. He has a firm anchor and is very rarely knocked off his base.

Weaknesses: In pass protection, Jackson has a bit more difficulty finishing defenders into the ground. He more often just stalls rushes in the phone booth, which is still effective. He is not long enough to be a versatile player along the line and will need to stick at center as a pro. He also has subpar change of direction ability that results in him losing a step in the run game at times.

Conclusion: JPJ has quickly climbed draft boards and is widely regarded as the best interior offensive line in football and the consensus best center in the draft. He will instantly be an anchor and leader of any offensive line.

Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile

Ideal Role: Center

Best Team Fits: PIT, CAR, LAR

Player Comparison: Creed Humphrey

Player Grade: 89.3