Jonah Monheim, USC: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Monheim was a four-star recruit from Moorpark High School in Moorpark, Calif. in the class of 2020

Jonah Monheim is switching from left tackle to center for the upcoming season. The position change might benefit Monheim long-term considering he lacks the build to play tackle in the NFL. He currently projects as a Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Jonah Monheim, OL USC: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior center from Moorpark, Calif.

Background: Monheim was a four-star recruit from Moorpark High School in Moorpark, Calif. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 247 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 344 for On3.com. Monheim was an unranked four-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked four-star recruit for ESPN with an 80 grade out of 100. He was a three-year starter in high school, earning 2019 PrepStar All-American, Cal-Hi Sports First Team All-State, Los Angeles Daily News First Team All-State, and All-Camino League Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year honors as a senior. Monheim has already earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from USC.

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2022 Honorable Mention All-Pac-12, 2023 Honorable Mention All-Pac-12, 2023 Second Team All-Pac-12 (Associated Press), 2023 Team Captain

Pros: Significant experience at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard, adding center versatility to the list in 2024, mixes jump sets with vertical sets, quick feet, keeps feet moving, foot speed helps him recover from poor starts, mobility to guide rushers up and around the pocket, tends to win the reps when he makes first contact, establishes positioning on reach blocks, good mobility and speed on gap runs, capable of executing long pulls, comfortable working to the second level

Cons: Penalized 18 times in 2022 and 2023 combined, undergoing positional change, questionable arm length, kick step gains inconsistent depth, undersets allowing outside pass rush wins, footwork can be needlessly frantic, instances of feet stalling near top of the arc, pad level gets away from him sometimes, hands land wide, allows easy access to chest, knocked back by long-arm moves, lacks counters for long-arm move, concerns vs. speed to power, limited power in base to anchor vs. stronger defenders, held Bralen Trice on a B-gap counter rush (2023), beaten through the B-gap by Bralen Trice multiple times (2023), put in a blender and on skates by Bralen Trice (2023), struggles to dig out 5-techs, defenders stack and shed his blocks with long-arm moves, defenders set a strong edge vs. him in the run game, forward momentum leads to him slipping off some blocks

Overview: Monheim has significant experience at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard, but he’s transitioning this season to playing center for the first time. Operating at left tackle in 2023, Monheim showcased his quick feet and movement skills. His foot speed expands his range in pass protection and helps him recover from poor initial steps. At tackle, he had the mobility to guide rushers up and around the pocket and frequently won pass protection reps when he initiated first contact. Monheim shined on run plays that called for him to execute reach blocks or pull for gap runs. The redshirt senior is comfortable working to the second level and operates well in space. The shift to center might benefit Monheim’s long-term NFL projection. He doesn’t have the arm length to play offensive tackle, and his kick step when playing on the outside gained inconsistent depth. The team captain underset frequently, giving outside rushers flatter angles to the quarterback, and his needlessly frantic footwork made his movements a little disjointed. Playing center removes the need for Monheim to match rushers up the arc and ensures he’ll face fewer defenders who look and play like Bralen Trice. The Washington star had his way with Monheim in 2023, beating him through the B-gap multiple times and using speed to power to put the USC lineman on skates. However, playing center won’t hide Monheim’s inconsistent pad level and wide hand placement. His hand usage allows easy access to his chest, and he struggles to hold his ground and combat long-arm moves. The former four-star recruit also has concerns when dealing with speed to power and will be on the wrong end of the play strength battle against premier defensive/nose tackles. There is limited power in his base to anchor against stronger defenders. In the run game, Monheim struggles to dig out 5-techs. Defenders use long-arm moves to stack and shed his blocks. Monheim does not displace edge-setting defenders consistently. His forward momentum in the run game sometimes leads to him slipping off blocks. He was penalized 18 times combined in 2022 and 2023.

Overall, Monheim’s transition to center will help him find a fit in the NFL, but his frame limits his ability to survive or excel one-on-one against more physically gifted defenders. Monheim’s movement skills in the run game are his most unique trait and make him an ideal fit as a backup center or guard in an outside zone scheme.

Role & Scheme Fit: Center or right guard in a gap or outside zone scheme

Round Grade: Sixth Round

Size: 6'5", 305 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 06-02-24