Max Iheanachor, RT Arizona State: 2026 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Iheanachor was a three-star JUCO recruit from East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, Calif. in the class of 2023
Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor possesses all of the physical tools to be a top offensive tackle prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he needs to take a significant leap this coming season to achieve his full potential. Iheanachor currently projects as a Day 2 selection.
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Max Iheanachor, RT Arizona State: 2026 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Redshirt senior right tackle from Los Angeles, Calif.
Background: Iheanachor was a three-star JUCO recruit from East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, Calif. in the class of 2023. He was the No. 30 JUCO recruit according to 247Sports, No. 74 for Rivals, and No. 23 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 20th in the nation with a 77 grade out of 100. Iheanachor played both offensive tackle spots at East Los Angeles College.
Injuries & Off-Field: Exited 2023 Fresno State game, was unavailable vs. Utah (2023), missed time in the spring of 2024 with a shoulder injury, missed 2025 spring ball after surgery to repair an arm injury
Awards: N/A
Pros: Frame more than passes the eye test, thick trunk, arm length should surpass thresholds, flashes of viable kick step to protect outside shoulder, initial foot quickness hints at untapped upside in vertical pass sets, range is passable in pass pro, powerful jump sets eliminate pass rush attempts early in reps, length helps drive rushers up and around pocket, grip strength, grip strength combines with framing for some great pass pro reps, sturdy anchor when he remains patient and balanced in pass set, difficult to uproot when he sets a wide base, leg drive and mass to generate some displacement at POA, force shows up on angle blocks, nice speed on gap runs and in open field, comfortable climbing on combo blocks
Cons: Legs are leaner than rest of frame, agility prevents him from sudden redirects, miscues on stunts, footspeed and range lets rushers beat him around the arc, foot quickness late in plays, forced to lean and waist bend in pass pro to keep up with rushers, inconsistent balance in pass pro, high pad level in pass pro, moments when pad level and narrow base disrupt ability to anchor, wide hand placement exposes chest, two-handed punch makes him vulnerable to inside swims, punch accuracy, needs more independent hand usage, not a mauler, pad level leads to getting displaced in run game occasionally, stumbles forward and off some run blocks, doesn’t frequently land blocks in space
Overview: Iheanachor possesses an NFL-caliber frame with excellent arm length, although his legs are proportionally leaner than the rest of his build. His technique in pass protection is inconsistent but very promising thanks to his physical tools. His initial foot quickness and several examples of an impressive kick step suggest he has a high ceiling in pass protection. Iheanachor’s range is passable, but his footspeed fades late in plays, creating opportunities for bendy rushers to turn the corner and puncture the pocket. Explosive or wide alignment rushers sometimes beat him up the arc, forcing him to bend at his waist and overextend while attempting to get enough of the defender to drive them around the pocket. Iheanachor’s length helps covers for some of his deficiencies near the top of the arc. His agility is average at best and creates problems when he attempts to suddenly redirect for stunts or inside counters. The California native plays with a high pad level, which contributes to some balance concerns in pass protection. He gets caught with elevated pads and a narrow base, limiting his ability to anchor against power rushers. Iheanachor’s anchor holds up well when he remains patient and keeps his frame balanced and aligned with the rusher. Very few college defenders possess the strength to uproot the JUCO product when he deploys a wide base. Iheanachor displays impressive grip strength and block framing to author some eye-catching plays in pass protection. Defenders struggle to escape his grasp, and some of his strikes arrive with excellent timing and placement. However, his placement and overall accuracy are still shaky. Iheanachor exposes his chest with wide hands too often and suffers from relying on two-handed punches instead of independent hand usage. These two-handed punches leave him vulnerable to swims or spins, and he lacks the elite agility to recover in these situations. The redshirt senior isn’t a mauler in the run game, but his size, length, and leg drive result in some impressive reps. His pad level and balance become limiting factors in the ground game, but his forcefulness generates some quality displacement at the point of attack. Iheanachor’s speed and comfort working to the second level make him a possible fit for a gap scheme.
Overall, Iheanachor is a traits-based top 100 projection, but his 2024 tape was closer to that of a fourth round prospect. He posts some of the most impressive reps among offensive tackle prospects in the upcoming class, but the inconsistent and sometimes erratic play that separates those moments places a ceiling on his summer evaluation. Iheanachor needs to show mental and technical growth this coming season to become a more consistent player.
Role & Scheme Fit: Right tackle in a gap or inside zone scheme
Round Grade: Early Third Round
Size: 6'5", 315 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 06-14-25