Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
AROUND THE SHIELD — Daniel Jeremiah admits that Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson has been one of the "fun guys to study" in his job with the NFL Network.
The draft expert highlighted the former Corner Canyon standout two-way lineman during this weekend's 2024 NFL Draft Combine, where Powers-Johnson was one of 321 draft hopefuls called in to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the annual event.
The Rimington Trophy winner given to the top center in college football has proven himself at every level of the game, included earning first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press after a career that saw him give up zero sacks in 714 pass-block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
But production is only part of what makes him an intriguing prospect, and one of the highest-rated centers on most mock draft boards, Jeremiah said.
"It's hard to find guys that big that can move like that," said Jeremiah of Powers-Johnson, who weighed in at 328 pounds in his 6-foot, 3-inch frame. "You can't get through him. He just kind of catches guys and absorbs them. In pass pro, he is quick to the second level and good on combo blocks. He has some nasty to him. He is a bulldog; got some real snap and pop in his hands."
The O-Linemen are on the stage today! Man are they deep, especially at OT. So I thought I'd give you a non-tackle to fall in love with if you haven't already…
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 3, 2024
Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson💪
Right here @nflnetwork#NFLCombine2024pic.twitter.com/PIbl0RcLvE
Powers-Johnson was a mid-week scratch at the Reese's Senior Bowl for injury purposes, which also kept him from running the 40-yard dash and out of a handful of other drills at the combine. But his 32-inch vertical leap and 8-foot, 8-inch broad jump may be enough to pique NFL teams' interest.
"He was having a great week until he got nicked up at the Senior Bowl," said Jeremiah, who currently projects Powers-Johnson being drafted in the first round (No. 19 overall) by the Los Angeles Rams. "I think he's going to find his way into the bottom portion of the first round. He's too clean of a player, and it's just somebody that can anchor your offensive line for the next decade.
Powers-Johnson was one of 10 players with ties to the state of Utah invited to Indianapolis. The list includes former BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis, who bested all signal callers this year with a 4.55 40-yard dash.
Here's how former college and high school football players from Utah performed at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis. Full results and details are available at NFL.com.
