Luke Wattenberg is a redshirt senior who aligns at center for the Huskies’ offense. He played tackle in high school and guard early in his college career. He is an average athlete with regards to lateral agility and movement skills. In the run game, he is dominant on double teams. He is physical and tough inside and seeks to generate vertical movement in the run game. He can get to the second level and sufficiently engage moving defenders. In the passing game, he is effective. He is heavy at the point of attack and can anchor against power rushers. His good strength also assists him against power rushers and his overall flexibility is adequate enough to suffice. He understands defensive fronts and can adjust when the defense shifts. He plays with good awareness and can see loops and stunts and sufficiently react laterally. In the NFL, he has redeeming attributes in his size, play strength, and instincts. He is someone who could roster (in the right system) based on his added value with regards to positional versatility.

Ideal Role: Rotational interior OL

Scheme fit: Power run scheme

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: California (2021), ASU (2021), Washington State (2021), Arizona (2021)

Best Game Studied: Arizona (2021)

Worst Game Studied: ASU (2021)

Balance: His balance is sufficient overall. He isn’t on the ground much but his posture isn’t always good. His inability to bend well puts his body in difficult places.

Pass Set: He is sufficiently fluid. His footwork is adequate and he has a strong punch. He can see loops and stunts but is an average reactive athlete with regards to lateral movement.

Competitive toughness: He plays the game with good competitive toughness. He finishes with a level of nastiness that is ideal for interior OL play. He competes really hard when he has to anchor against bull rushers.

Lateral Mobility: Overall, he isn’t a great athlete. He sufficiently redirects laterally to defend the cross face. This is also evident in his ability to engage at the second level.

Length: He appears to have sufficient length. This helps him as a power run blocker to generate movement. He can lock out a defender with his upper-body strength. This is also evident in his punch while in pass pro.

Football IQ: He has high-level football IQ. He easily adjusts the protection when the defense has shifted. He plays with good instincts and awareness to recognize stunts and games.

Hand Technique: His hand placement was generally sufficient. He generally does a good job of snapping and getting his hands up while keeping them in the frame. Sometimes he can get overzealous in the run game and want to maul a guy, which causes him to get his hands outside.

Anchor: He is competitive when he anchors against power rushers. His physical toughness assists him in this regard. He doesn’t bend exceptionally well but has redeeming value in his size, strength, and competitiveness.

Power at POA: He has sufficient-level power at the point of attack. He isn’t a consistent vertical mover in the run game but is strong at the point.

Versatility: He has true positional versatility. He played tackle in high school and has played guard and center throughout his collegiate career. He also shows the football IQ to play both positions if required.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 68.25/100 (Sixth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 67.50/100

Harris Grade: 69.00/100