By: Michael Higgins

School: Ohio State (Junior)

Position: IOL

HT: 6’3

WT: 300 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #52

Luke Wypler was a 4-star interior offensive lineman prospect, rated the 3rd best interior lineman in the country in the class of 2020. He was a top-100 player in the country and the best player in New Jersey by 247Sports.com. Wypler had experience in high school playing every position along the offensive line but settled into the center position at Ohio State. Out of high school, Wypler chose Ohio State over Boston College, Duke, and Florida. Luke Wypler was a reserve offensive lineman for Ohio State in his freshman season This was not because Wypler did not have the talent, but Ohio State has been so deep on the offensive line for so long. Wypler officially became the starting center for the Buckeyes in the 2021 season and has excelled in the position.

Wypler is an athletic player with solid movement skills for the position. He can move in any direction, east-west or north-south, Wypler has lateral quickness that is rare for a center. The most important trait in a center is Football IQ. Wypler has a great Football IQ, he knows what it takes to lead a team. He knows where he needs to be on every snap and can recognize a multitude of different stunts and twists at the line of scrimmage. Wypler displays great technique in both run blocking and in the passing game. He has quick hands that are always active with the rushers at the line of scrimmage. He has a strong base to go with his proper technique, allowing him to be firmly planted in the grass and not easily knocked back on his heels. He has great body control and does not easily get moved or displaced around the line of scrimmage. Wypler is an excellent pass blocker. He has an understanding of stunts and twists along the defensive line. He has elite hand placement and quick reaction times that stun defensive linemen, not allowing them to work through their rush without being interrupted. In the run game, he is also extremely solid. As a center, he stops these big gap penetration defensive lineman from dictating the run game and instead is able to move up field and finish multiple blocking assignments as a lead blocker in between the hash marks.

Luke Wypler has active hands but his grip strength leaves much to be desired. He stabs at defenders rather than driving his hands into their chest to gain leverage throughout the assignment. He has a strong lower half that provides stability on the interior, but has below average arm strength, which leads to pressure consistently leaking through in front of the quarterback. The last thing to say about Wypler when it comes to his weaknesses; his measurables leave much to be desired. He had below average length measurements at the NFL Combine. Having subpar length for an interior lineman leads to the likelihood that he will not be able to shift out to either tackle spot.

Luke Wypler offers a high level of pass blocking along with solid run blocking at the center position. He also has the always sought after football IQ. A center is one of the leaders of every offense that must be fully in tune with the rest of the offense as well as a general knowledge of what the defense is doing. Wypler fits that description. He will go into an NFL locker room and be able to lead even as a rookie. He is an ever-talented center that will compete for a starting job immediately.

Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile

Ideal Role: Center

Best Team Fits: DEN, NYG, ARI

Player Comparison: Corey Linsley

Player Grade: 79.1