The former Kansas product should be on the Los Angeles Chargers’ radar.
If you’re an offensive lineman that is experienced and offers positional versatility, there’s a strong chance that you’re going to be coveted by many NFL teams.
For former Kansas offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji, he possesses both, along with a skillset that would suits the Chargers offense.
Adeneji, the Texas native, primarily served as the Jayhawks’ left tackle in their zone-blocking scheme. In his 48 career games, he started 43 on the left side, while five of them came at right tackle.
He also played center the spring before his senior year, but the coaching staff decided it needed him more at left tackle.
After an accomplished collegiate career that saw him earn a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2019, Adeniji was selected to participate in the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl, which features some of the best prospects in the nation.
In Mobile, AL, Adeniji did not take a single snap at his natural position on the outside. Instead, he kicked inside and played exclusively at both guard spots.
“Some guys like me at guard, some guys like me at tackle and some guys appreciate the versatility to be able to do both. Carrying seven or eight (offensive linemen) on the active (NFL) roster, it’s important, especially as a young guy, that I’m able to do multiple things,” Adeniji said.
Regardless of where he lined up throughout his four-year stint at Kansas and at the Senior Bowl, Adeniji was always a bright spot up front in the trenches.
From his reps that came at tackle, he displayed foot quickness and mirror ability to beat edge rushers and stay in front of them. At guard, he took advantage of his wide base and power in his punch to stymie defenders.
Flying under the radar even after a solid week in Mobile, that’s likely not the case anymore after putting on a show at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
At 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds, the lengthy Adeniji posted solid numbers, which included a 5.17 40, 34-inch vertical and 115-inch broad jump. But the on-field drills is where he made his money, showcasing smooth movement skills when changing directions and the heavy hands when it came to hitting the bags.
For the Bolts, Adejini projects as a multi-position backup with starter upside whose primary position would be at left guard or right tackle. Given his athleticism, he’s perfect for their likely soon-to-be zone blocking scheme that should be installed next season.
Projected as a mid-late Day 3 selection before December, Adejini has boosted his stock the past couple of months to a potential third or fourth-round selection.
Even though he’s helped himself, at the next level Adeniji will need to refine his footwork technique and get a little bit stronger to create more movement in the run game to become a polished starter.
If the Chargers want to use one of their picks on the former Jayhawk, they could have their hands on a great value pick and potentially one of the steals of the draft.
“Hakeem Adeniji is gonna make a big impact at the next level. Hopefully I’ll be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl type of player. That’s the goal. I know that I’ll get there as long as I trust the process and trust in my work,” Adeniji said.
“It’s gonna be a lot of fun. I’m gonna push myself to be great. Let’s see how far I can take this thing. I know that my film speaks for itself. I know what I’m capable of achieving. The sky is the limit. It’s gonna be a fun ride.”
