OT, Virginia Tech
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 314 lbs
Class: Junior
Much like last year, there is an embarrassment of riches at the top of this tackle class. I have seven inside the top 40 of my Big Board and Darrisaw comes in at #16. The Virginia Tech junior has been one of 2020’s biggest risers. He was recently voted Second Team All-American and finished the season as PFF’s second highest graded FBS tackle.
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Strengths
Darrisaw is a big and powerful tackle for the Hokies. He is built like a prototypical NFL tackle, with the size and power to deal with more physical edge rushers. He uses this to great effect in the run game, where he showcases great power at the point of attack. Darrisaw plays the game with a really high motor and his willingness to get physical stands out on every single rep.
What makes Darrisaw stand out is that he pairs this size and power with the athleticism and movement skills of a much smaller player. He is excellent when running outside zone concepts and moving up to the second level to engage with defenders. The clip below against Boston College is a great example. There will be no concerns about his ability to play in space and this versatility will be a prized asset when he comes to the NFL.
Darrisaw has improved in each of his seasons in college, blossoming into one of the nation’s best tackles in 2020. His 95.6 PFF grade puts him as the third highest graded player in the nation, regardless of position. He is also one of just two offensive lineman to achieve 90+ PFF grades in both run blocking and pass protection.
Most impressive is his improvement as a pass protector. He has allowed just six pressures across his 293 pass-blocking snaps and hasn’t given up a single sack or hit all season. The technical aspect of his game has been a notable area of improvement, playing with great balance and knee bend and showcasing some of the best hand usage at the position. His strong anchor leaves him well equipped to deal with power rushers and he has the requisite athleticism and length to limit speed off the edge.
Weaknesses
Few offensive line prospects are as well-rounded as Darrisaw. That said, there are certainly areas of his game that require improvement. The most obvious of those is his footwork in pass protection, specifically on vertical sets. His coordination isn’t the best and his feet can be a little late. His power and length allow him to make up for this in college, but that won’t work at the next level. He has the tools to master this aspect of the game though and I would expect it to come with time.
Darrisaw has shown huge improvements this season, but he still could do with improving his play recognition. He is an intelligent player but struggles at times when faced with blitzes and stunts. His eagerness to engage with defenders can work against him.
Bottom Line
Darrisaw represents one of the most well-rounded prospects in this class. Few have been able to match his performances as both a pass protector and a run blocker this season. His combination of size and athleticism will be sought after at the next level and he offers genuine versatility across different schemes. He has demonstrated consistent improvement throughout his career at Virginia Tech and looks like a first round, plug-and-play starter.
Big Board Rank: #16
Positional Rank: #2
