Luke Wypler, C Ohio State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Wypler was a four-star recruit from St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, N.J. in the class of 2020
Ohio State has three highly touted offensive linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft. Offensive tackles Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones are potential first round picks. Center Luke Wypler isn’t in that range, but he could compete for a third round selection on draft night.
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Luke Wypler, C Ohio State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Redshirt sophomore center from Montvale, N.J.
Background: Wypler was a four-star recruit from St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, N.J. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 108 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 163 for Rivals, and No. 123 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 58th in the nation with an 84 grade out of 100. Wypler committed to Ohio State over offers from Boston College, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and other Power Five programs. He was a three-year starter in high school who helped St. Joseph Regional go 10-2 and win the NJSIAA Non-Public Group IV State Championship in 2018. Wypler blocked for a rushing attack that produced nearly 2,500 yards while averaging more than 200 yards per game. He earned First-Team All-State honors from NJ.com and was a 2018 MaxPreps Junior All-American. Wypler played in the Army All-American Bowl before joining the Buckeyes.
2022 Production: 13 games, 1 sack allowed, 3 penalties committed
2021 Production: 13 games, 0 sacks allowed, 8 penalties committed
2020 Production: 3 games (Redshirt Year)
Injuries & Off-Field: Spotted in a walking boot early in the 2022 season but didn’t miss time
Awards: 2021 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media), 2022 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (coaches), 2022 Third-Team All-Big Ten (Media)
Pros: Age, rarely has off-target snaps, displays necessary power to open and maintain rushing lanes, flashes of displacing defenders downfield, anchor and core strength to maintain position against Jalen Carter (2022), some really nice examples of hand placement versus Jalen Carter (2022), displays recovery athleticism to get back in plays, looks for additional work in pass pro, guides threats in pass pro upfield and around the pocket, shows some initial quickness on down and reach blocks, speed to the second level, feet remain active and engaged, good foot speed, maintains a good base
Cons: Committed 11 penalties over the past two years, center-only prospect, subpar arm length, can be late to recognize and address blitzes and stunts, doesn’t consistently identify the guard who needs help the most, some pad level concerns, allows defenders into his chest, play strength falls short of elite status, driven backward by the best power players he faced, struggled to move Jalen Carter and Nazir Stackhouse versus Georgia (2022) and Mazi Smith versus Michigan (2022), open field agility and speed varies, struggles to sustain blocks on the move, doesn’t sustain blocks on smaller/more agile players, doesn’t clamp and steer defenders, struggles to mirror defenders and land second-level blocks, excels in tight spaces but looks lost in the open field at times, occasional balance issues
Overview: Wypler is unofficially listed at 6'3", 300 lbs. The Ohio State center is one of the younger interior offensive linemen in the draft. He displays the necessary power to open and maintain rushing lanes. There are flashes of Wypler displacing defenders downfield, but he’s inconsistent in this area. The former four-star recruit had the anchor and core strength to maintain his position in pass protection against Georgia’s Jalen Carter in the 2022-23 College Football Playoff Semifinals. He displayed excellent hand fits and placement against Carter several times in that game. Wypler displays the recovery athleticism to get back into plays in pass protection when initially beaten. In pass protection, he consistently looks for additional work and guides threats upfield and around the pocket when they gain penetration. Wypler shows some initial quickness on down and reach blocks. He has decent speed to reach the second level. He plays with good foot speed and a stout base. The New Jersey native keeps his feet active and engaged throughout the play. Perhaps most importantly, Wypler is rarely off-target with his snaps. The star center has a squat frame that appears close to maxed out physically. He has subpar arm length for a lineman at any position and lacks positional versatility. Wypler committed 11 penalties over the past two years. He can be late to recognize and address blitzes and stunts. The redshirt sophomore doesn’t consistently identify the guard who needs help the most, which leads to protection breaking down. Pad level is sometimes a concern with Wypler, and his short arms invite defenders into his chest. His play strength carries question marks and falls short of elite. The most powerful defenders Wypler faced in 2022, including Georgia’s Jalen Carter and Nazir Stackhouse and Michigan’s Mazi Smith, drove the center backward in pass protection and gave no ground in the run game. Wypler’s open field agility and speed vary. Sometimes they flash, but there are plenty of plays where Wypler struggles to mirror defenders and land second-level blocks. He excels in tight spaces but sometimes looks lost in the open field. The All-Big Ten selection struggles to sustain blocks on the move and doesn’t clamp down on and steer defenders. Balance issues occasionally pop up on Wypler’s tape.
Overall, Wypler is a technically sound center in pass protection with decent movement skills, but his awareness, arm length, and play strength are below the level of an NFL starter. Wypler could develop into a starter, but he appears largely physically tapped out. The Ohio State product should appeal to a team that doesn’t rely on downhill power blocking.
Role & Scheme Fit: Center in an inside or outside zone scheme
Round Projection: Mid Fourth to Early Fifth
Player Comparison: N/A
Submitted: 02-14-23