McClendon Curtis, IOL Chattanooga: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Curtis was a two-star offensive tackle recruit from Chattanooga Central High School in Harrison, Tenn. in the class of 2017

Chattanooga has a chance to send offensive linemen to the NFL in back-to-back years. Right guard McClendon Curtis accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, which kicks off later this month in Mobile, Ala. See where he projects to land in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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McClendon Curtis, IOL Chattanooga: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Sixth year redshirt senior right guard from Chattanooga, Tenn.

Background: Curtis was a two-star offensive tackle recruit from Chattanooga Central High School in Harrison, Tenn. in the class of 2017. He was the No. 2,363 recruit, according to 247Sports. Curtis was an unranked two-star recruit for Rivals. He committed to Chattanooga over offers from Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State University, Ohio, Temple, and Western Kentucky. Curtis earned All-State status in high school and played varsity basketball. He graduated from Chattanooga with a degree in Sports Management in May of 2021 and is working toward a Master’s in School/Teacher Leadership. Curtis was born on Sept. 16, 1999.

2022 Production: 11 games

2021 Production: 11 games

2020 Production: 5 games

2019 Production: 12 games

2018 Production: 10 games

2017 Production: (Redshirt Year)

Injuries & Off-Field: Tutored at the Mocs Student-Athlete Enhancement Center, 2021-22 and 2022-23 NCAA Football Oversight Committee

Awards: 2020 First-Team All-Southern Conference, 2021 First-Team All-Southern Conference, 2022 First-Team All-Southern Conference, 2022 Jacobs Blocking Award

Pros: Starting experience at left tackle and right guard, excellent physical tools, rare arm length and wingspan, core strength to torque and seal defenders, leg drive displaces defensive linemen downfield, offers terrific power and accuracy as a pulling guard, enough mobility for pulling duties, strong understanding of angles as a run blocker, anchor to deaden power rushes, examples of finishing defenders to the ground, looked like he belonged against Kentucky (2021) and Illinois (2022)

Cons: Age, allows linemen into his chest, plodder in the open field, feet look heavy, room to improve pad level, hand placement is low, clamp strength must improve, beat across his face with speed, lacks the agility to mirror defenders, struggles to adjust to and square up speed rushers, balance concerns leads to time on the ground, heels come to close together in pass pro slide at times, resorts to lunging, doesn’t maximize arm length, late identifying and reacting to stunts, spatial awareness, wish his hands had more pop, becomes off balance and top-heavy as a run blocker allowing his man to slip past, shoulders are too soft, doesn’t generate as much displacement as desired against lesser competition, lacks recovery agility, lacks the speed, agility, and footwork to operate on an island at tackle, kick slide is slow and labored

Overview: Curtis is unofficially listed at 6'6", 328 lbs. He allowed pressure on 1.6% of his snaps in pass protection in 2021 and 1.87% in 2022. Curtis primarily started at right guard for the Mocs, but he also has some experience at left guard and started several games at left tackle in 2022. The sixth-year redshirt senior has elite physical tools with arms expected to reach roughly 35 inches. With his massive, powerful frame, Curtis has the build of an imposing tackle. However, he’ll likely play guard at the next level. Besides his rare arm length and wingspan, Curtis has impressive core and upper body strength to torque and seal defenders. His anchor is sturdy enough to deaden power rushes. As a run blocker, the former two-star recruit offers terrific power and accuracy as a pulling guard. Curtis usually lands blocks as a puller because of his natural feel for angles. He has enough mobility for pulling duties. Curtis’ leg drive displaces defensive linemen downfield, and there are plenty of examples of him finishing defenders to the ground. Most importantly, the Tennessee native didn’t look overwhelmed or out of place when Chattanooga played Kentucky (2021) and Illinois (2022). Curtis appeared on Bruce Feldman’s 2022 Freaks List for The Athletic. Per Feldman, the hulking offensive lineman deadlifts 775 lbs. and power cleans 345 lbs. His body fat was at 23.7% over the summer. Despite being an older college prospect, Curtis doesn’t display a natural feel for his role. He allows linemen into his chest, frequently plays with an elevated pad level, looks uncomfortable with his footwork, and consistently places his hands too low on defenders. His clamp strength must improve to sustain blocks and protect his shoulders, which are too soft and easy to win. Curtis is a plodder in the open field, and his feet look heavy. Speed rushers beat him across his face. Curtis lacks the agility to mirror defenders and can’t recover with his athleticism after being beaten off the snap. He lacks the speed, agility, and footwork to operate on an island at tackle. Curtis’ heavy feet lead to a slow and labored kick slide. His lack of balance leads to a lot of time spent on the ground. The All-Southern Conference selection becomes off balance and top-heavy as a run blocker, which allows his man to slip past. Curtis is still learning how to maximize his arm length. His spatial awareness is below average, and he’s frequently late to identify and respond to stunts. While Curtis rose to the occasion against Kentucky and Illinois, he doesn’t consistently generate significant displacement against lesser-level competition.

Overall, Curtis is a long-term project with very attractive physical traits that he’s learning to maximize. Right now, there’s no path for him to an NFL field except for special teams. Curtis must refine his position’s fundamental skills before competing for significant playing time. He projects as a full-time guard to account for agility and speed limitations.

Role & Scheme Fit: Right guard in an inside zone-heavy scheme

Round Projection: Late Fifth to Late Sixth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 01-13-23