NFL Draft Profile: Emil Ekiyor Jr., Offensive Lineman, Alabama Crimson Tide
#55
Pos: iOL
Ht: 6025
Wt: 314
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3378
Wing: 8218
40: 5.35
DOB: 1/22/2000
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
High School: Cathedral
Eligibility: 2023
Emil Ekiyor Jr.
Alabama Crimson Tide
One-Liners
A versatile interior lineman with agility but lacks functional strength.
Evaluation:
Agile right guard who has positional versatility to play all three positions on the interior. Ekiyor plays at a low pad level, allowing him to operate with a low center of gravity and win the leverage battle. Opponents are rarely able to get underneath him. He is capable of blocking on the move, showing the footwork required to pull and locating opponents reliably. In pass protection, he can mirror rushers using his foot speed and lateral agility. Ekiyor has pop in his hands, finishing smaller defenders. He recognizes and picks up blitzes from the second level. A lack of functional strength limits his game and given his frame is filled out, it will be difficult to add muscle. Ekiyor is unable to drive defensive linemen out of their gaps. He does not sustain leverage, as opponents are able to overpower him. In pass protection, Ekyior does not anchor consistently and frequently gets outreached by defenders, showing a lack of length. When rushers counter, he does not have the strength to shut them down. His pass sets need to be cleaned up as he looks uncomfortable moving backward. A versatile interior offensive lineman who can play all three spots on the interior. Ekyior possesses agility and athleticism desired by zone teams. He can be used on the move with his movement skills and ability to locate opponents. A lack of strength limits most phases of his game, not creating movement upfront and being a power rush target. Ekiyor projects as a potential backup at any or all three interior positions for a zone running team, to take advantage of his mobility. If forced into action, he will have to be given considerable help in pass protection and can not be relied upon to open running lanes.
Grades
4th Round
Background:
Emil Ekiyor Jr. is a versatile offensive linemen who in high school and has played at both guard and center. Ekiyor played in both 2018 and 2019, but as the Tide’s offensive line increased their depth Ekiyor worked his way into the starting lineup in 2020. From Indianapolis, Indiana, he was ranked at the top player in his state. His family has NFL background with his father, Emil Sr. playing for the Atlanta Falcons. Raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Consensus four-star recruit with flexibility at guard and center out of high school. Father Emil Sr., played for the Atlanta Falcons. Redshirted as a freshman.
