Gators 2023 NFL Draft Profile: OL O'Cyrus Torrence
The 2023 NFL Draft is approaching, marking the peak of the professional football offseason.
As NFL free agency cools down after the initial surge to fill spots of need, teams are solidifying their big boards for the eventful selection period set to take place from April 27-29.
Multiple University of Florida talents are in the midst of preparing for the draft process. Eight of the 11 entrants recently participated in the NFL Combine. They will finalize their athletic metrics at the school's recently announced Pro Day on March 30.
In anticipation of the selection ceremony, All Gators will provide player draft profiles for the 11 Florida representatives. The series will include the player's history, strengths, weaknesses, scouting report, best fit and most up-to-date Gators-centric mock draft selection.
After examining the former face of Florida's franchise in Anthony Richardson, next up is arguably the biggest impact player on either side of the ball in 2022 with All-American offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence.
Player History
Torrence, a Greensburg, La., native, is a former four-year starter at guard, with three years at Louisiana Lafayette and one season with the Florida Gators.
The former No. 1,697 ranked recruit, per 247Sports Composite rankings, initially committed to UL in 2018 over offers from Georgia, Louisiana Tech, ULM, South Alabama and Middle Tennessee. The pledge earned Napier, Rob Sale and Co. a significant win on the recruiting trail in the early stage of their rebuild efforts with the program.
He quickly became a staple of their vision offensively.
As a freshman, Torrence hit the ground running to start 13 of the Ragin' Cajuns' 14 contests on the season, finding immense success as an anchor to the offensive line.
The unit helped spring ball carriers for 6.28 yards per carry, 42 rushing touchdowns and 257.4 yards per game — all of which ranked in the top ten of the FBS.
His excellence in year one kickstarted his career to present continued production as he entered years two and three with Lousiana-Lafayette. Amid said dominance in the Sun Belt conference, Torrence earned several accolades, including First Team All-Sun Belt (2021), Second Team All-Sun Belt (2020), two-time Joe Moore Award Semifinalist (2020-21) and Shaun Alexander Freshman All-American (2019).
After three seasons at UL, Torrence followed Napier and Co. to Gainesville, where he tested his skillset on the highest stage of the collegiate game.
His transition to the SEC brought similar results as he emerged as one of — if not the outright — best guards in the conference in the run game and pass protection. Torrence graded out as such, according to PFF, earning a 90.2 out of 100 run-blocking grade for his 2022 contributions while continuing his impressive streak of not allowing a single sack across 46 career starts with 1,327 pass protection snaps.
His immediate impact with Gators resulted in one of the nation's top rushing attacks and one of the lowest sack rates allowed by a Florida offensive line in several campaigns.
He was named the first unanimous All-American guard in Florida history.
Torrence moves forward to the NFL after just one year in orange and blue, listed by nearly most experts as the clear-cut offensive guard prospect this draft season.
Strengths
- Elite first punch, power and placement.
- Strong, heavy hands.
- Upper body strength.
- Smart guard who understands assignment no matter the blitz package.
- Size. A lot of it.
- Equally versed and productive in run blocking and pass protection.
- Ability to use defender's leverage against them, effectively sealing assignments.
- Experience.
Concerns
- Disproportionate build (Smaller lower half, wider upper body makeup).
- Below-average athlete among NFL guards due to size.
- Inconsistent pad level.
- Lateral quickness in pass pro.
Scouting Report
The Gators' guard prospect is one of the most intriguing offensive linemen to come out of the collegiate game over the past few seasons. That's mainly because his look doesn't necessarily match what he's produced.
While his body doesn't display the usual characteristics of a modern-day NFL guard — as he sports an unideal frame with a thin and disproportionately distributed lower half — Torrence's mauling skill set will allow him to overcome those hurdles at the next level.
He possesses heavy hands that are nearly locked in on a defensive lineman if he lands with a quick initial punch that exhibits unexpected power. He adds to his prowess if initial engagement of his assignment with a strong understanding of placement to ensure he gets a good grasp without having to relocate his hands too early.
There is a luxury that comes with both his run blocking and pass protection production, as well as the experience he carries working at right guard. He also saw time at left guard in his career, giving the thought of versatility to work at either of those spots.
Not only do his talents speak volumes, but Torrence can diagnose blitz packages and stunts at the line. He does a great job passing off assignments inside or out, and repositioning to ensure he takes on the rusher working through his zone.
That flashed on tape consistently in 2022, although lateral quickness can sometimes hinder him when working against speed in those situations.
Nonetheless, he projects to be a mid-to-late first-round selection as the first or second interior offensive lineman off the board. Given the history of his production — and immediate translation to the SEC — Torrence will make a franchise very content with their selection.
Best Fit(s)
Torrence will likely begin receiving looks just after the No. 15 pick, leaving a slew of options to select the talented guard prospect. He best projects to operate in a power-rushing scheme, where he can take advantage of his mauling attributes and work downhill after lining up head-on with most of his assignments.
If that's the case, Seattle at No. 20 makes the most sense as he could serve as an anchor to Shane Waldron's offensive line freshly after the team signed Geno Smith to an extension as its starting quarterback. Waldron's system is multiple up front, but it's often described as a power set without the puller, a perfect fit for Torrence. He would aid Smith's protection, creating holes for Kenneth Walker Jr. to exploit in year two after an injury derailed a promising first campaign.
However, Torrence is scheme versatile, and he can take on a zone-rushing offense if a team with that implemented takes a chance on him.
To match the latter style, Torrence would bode well by joining a well-constructed offensive line with just one noticeable hole remaining. The Jacksonville Jaguars, sitting at pick 24, fit that billing as left guard Ben Bartch hasn't shown to be a long-term fix — albeit serviceable — opposite Brandon Scherff. It would make sense for the Jags to bring in the Florida guard to ensure the protection of franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the foreseeable future.
There, he could operate in tandem with guard Scherff on the opposite side of the line while learning the offense and position from the veteran Jaguars guard.
Doug Pederson and Co. would then decide whether to flip Scherff to the other side of the center, keeping Torrence at his natural right guard spot for the time being, or plug him right into LG upon arrival.
All Gators' final mock draft selections
April 26: Round 1, Pick 19 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
March 20: Round 1, Pick 27 (trade w/Buffalo) — Jacksonville Jaguars
Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.
Get your Gators football, basketball and other sporting events tickets from SI Tickets here.
