Big Board ranking: #67
Positional ranking: #1
Overview
Position: C
College: Minnesota
Class: Senior (RS)
Age: 24
Measurables
Height: 6’3 1/2”
Weight: 301 lbs.
Arm length: 32 5/8”
Hand size: 9 1/2″
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 5.35 sec.
10-yard split: 1.85 sec.
Vertical jump: 29.5”
Broad jump: 104.0”
Bench press: 26 reps
3-cone drill: N/A
Short shuttle: 4.56 sec.
Strengths
Highly intelligent. Ideal power build with thick arms and legs. Brawler that plays with an edge in the running game. Excellent upper body strength. Hands are very strong. Doesn’t let go when grasping a defender. Terrific on outside zone runs. Outstanding ability to turn defenders while engaging. Maximizes athleticism with efficiency of his movements. Very quick to bury opponents. Tremendous wipeout power. Can take out opponents in space with a push. Great ability to bulldoze smaller defenders when he gets his hands on them. Will throw a shoulder to get a glancing blow on opponents. Able to regain leverage if he loses some initial ground both as a run blocker and pass protector. Extremely strong anchor power in pass protection. Technical and poised as a pass protector. Great vision and awareness. Plus reaction time to pick up late rushers. Smart to avoid going downfield early on RPO throws. Always looking to finish plays and get in on scrums. Team captain.
Weaknesses
Has general issues with balance and ends up on the ground too often. Average athleticism and mobility/speed. Can lose his balance when missing versus quickness or when an opponent gets early leverage. Quick penetrators give him issues as a run blocker in general. Defenders can stagger him by getting hands on his frame. Upper body can get ahead of his feet and cause him to end up on the ground (particularly working to the second level).
NFL comparison
Ben Jones
Conclusion
Overall, Schmitz is a strong, intelligent center that will effectively brawl as the anchor of an NFL offensive line. His ability to make zone blocks and the power he plays with should make Schmitz a fit for most schemes.