Marcus Mbow Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
School: Purdue
Class: Redshirt Junior
Position: OT
HT: 6’4
WT: 303 lbs
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Background: Marcus Mbow has risen through the draft boards in each season that he has played in college. Mbow is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended Wauwatosa East High School. Mbow was a 3-star offensive tackle and a top 10 player in Wisconsin in the class of 2021. Marcus chose to play for Purdue over Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, and others.
College: Mbow appeared in 4 games as a freshman in 2021, preserving his redshirt. In 2022, Marcus started every game at right guard. He was named a Freshman All-American and an All-Big 10 honorable mention. In 2023, Mbow started 6 games before sustaining an injury but was still named an All-Big 10 honorable mention. Mbow played in 12 games in 2024 and was a lone bright spot on a putrid Boilermakers’ team. He was once again a conference honorable mention.
Strengths: Marcus Mbow has freakish athleticism on the offensive line. Pound for pound, he could be the most athletic player in the 2025 draft class. He boasts impressive straight line speed for the position, which he uses when climbing to the second level of the defense or when getting out as the lead blocker in the run game. He is light on his feet when getting out in space, but he is heavy handed when he engages with a defender at the point of attack. He shows off impressive strength as a pass blocker. Mbow has functional length, which he uses to get a grip on defenders and keep them from setting the edge. He has excellent recovery ability. When beaten by a quick first step, he has a quick kick step to combat it. He can also neutralize bull rushes with a strong anchor. Mbow’s kick step goes much further back than normal, allowing him to make up ground quickly if beaten. Marcus has played all over the offensive line throughout his career, succeeding no matter where he played.
Weaknesses: Mbow is a bit thin for the position and will need to beef up in order to be a dominant force in the NFL. His frame is too thin and he will have to add more mass without giving up his rare athleticism. His lack of size can lead to him getting walked back into the quarterback if he does not perfectly establish his base before engaging with his assignment. Mbow has put some inconsistent hand placement on tape. This stems from an aggressive tendency to reach in attempt to latch onto defenders.
Conclusion: Marcus Mbow is an impressive athlete at the right tackle position. His thin frame for the position and his inconsistent hand placement are the two things working against him the most. If he can beef up and maintain his athleticism, he is as good as any offensive tackle in this class.
Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile
Ideal Role: Right Tackle
Best Team Fits: SF, SEA, HOU
Player Comparison: Liam Eichenberg
Player Grade: Round 1 (91.0)
