The Southeastern Conference has become the meat and potatoes of the college football world. The conference churns out the country’s best trench play, becoming a factory for the NFL teams in need of some big men. That’s especially the case for Alabama, a university that has routinely sent offensive and defensive lineman to the league.
Like most years, Alabama is again flooded with NFL talent all over their starting lineup. Both of Alabama’s offensive tackles have garnered the close watch of NFL scouts, those being left tackle, Alex Leatherwood, and right tackle, Jedrick Wills. While Leatherwood is a talented lineman in his own right, I wanted to focus on Wills in this particular post.
The Jaguars’ offensive line play has been plagued with penalties and has been too inconsistent to be considered a finished product. Knowing Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone’s tendency to focus heavily in the trenches, the offensive tackle position certainly isn’t out of question. Whether the team would move a player like Wills inside or not, he should, without a doubt, be on their scouting radar.
Wills is an absolute powerhouse. Alabama plays some nasty, physical football and Wills is no different. Wills’ favorite breakfast meal has to be a big stack of pancakes, because this guy sure knows how to make them.
Somebody get Jedrick Wills Jr. some syrup 🥞 pic.twitter.com/q424I8e6UW
— Brett Hudson (@Brett_Hudson) October 27, 2019
Wills is just plain mean in the run game. He’s physical and gets to the second level nicely as a run defender. He can clear out massive lanes and is always looking to make defenders become acquainted with the ground. Most scouts who’ve watch him tend to believe that both traits are his greatest strengths.
If that wasn’t enough, here is another clip of just how effective Wills is in the run game:
Big fan of Alabama RT Jedrick Wills (#74). He’s a people mover. Gets up on the LB and clears him out easily. Such a powerful player with wonderful balance. pic.twitter.com/qFunJz0Xbu
— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) October 4, 2019
While his strength is definitely in the run game, Alabama’s No. 74 is no slouch in pass protection. Wills strength again helps immensely in pass protection. He has some heavy hands and has quite the strong anchor. I would like to see him become a little cleaner with his technique, but the 6-foot-5, 316 pound tackle is still very much developing.
Here in this clip against Ole Miss, Wills physically abuses the Rebel defensive end, hitting him with a strong initial punch which eventually causes the defender to get off balance. This goes on to further demonstrate the type of strength that Wills has.
Alabama OL Jedrick Wills 💪🏾#BamavsMiss pic.twitter.com/xloHrsNxA0
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) September 17, 2018
While his strength allows him to bully edge rushers, he does a nice job of reading and reacting to rushers as well. He does not possess the quickest feet, but can mirror defenders fairly well for a man of his size.
The other RT to track is Bama's Jedrick Wills. 6'5"/320lbs. Haven't seen many highlight/pancake blocks from yesterday's game, but it's super solid tape. pic.twitter.com/iXHF3CrXaR
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) September 2, 2019
In pass protection he does not offer the same type of dominance as he does in the run game, however, he’s solid enough in the category for scouts to believe in him as a starter. Besides, with a team like the Jags, it’s his abilities as a run blocker that will count the most.
If the Jaguars were to select Wills, he could see a move to guard. With the uncertainty of Norwell and Cann, this could be a very realistic situation. Using their best available player philosophy could land them a player like Wills in 2020, and with their willingness to keep Cam Robinson at left tackle while Jawaan Taylor develops at right guard, Wills without a doubt would give the Jags a mauler at guard and an upgrade they could really use.
For those who to watch Wills this week, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday, Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. EST on ESPN.
