Penn State’s offensive tackle Rasheed Walker is an experienced offensive lineman who has been a staple on the Nittany Lions’ blindside for the last three seasons. Walker came to Penn State as a highly-rated recruit and has certainly lived up to the billing. He is a wide-bodied offensive tackle who offers excellent length and athleticism.

As a pass blocker, Walker shows very good foot quickness to get depth in his pass sets and mirror edge defenders. He can change direction quickly and redirect to stunts and inside counters. Walker displays excellent anchor and is very good with his hands, showing very good hand strength and punch timing. There are times Walker oversets and leaves room inside for counters and Walker will lose balance at times playing too far over his feet. In the run game, Walker is much more of a wall-off-and-seal blocker than a road grader.

He doesn’t have top-end power at the point of attack and can get inverted by stronger and more physical defenders. He uses his wide body to cover up at the point and is athletic enough to reach the second level consistently, although he can improve his awareness in locating defenders at the second level. Overall, Walker is a solid offensive line prospect who offers length, athleticism, and fundamentals to develop into a starter at the next level.

Ideal Role: Developmental left tackle or starting right tackle,

Scheme Fit: Zone scheme with spread principles

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Brentley Weissman

Games watched: Indiana (2021), Iowa (2021), Wisconsin (2021), Ohio State (2020)

Best Game Studied: Iowa (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Wisconsin (2021)

Balance: Walker displays good balance overall and is in control in both phases of the game. In the run game, Walker is able to square defenders up and sustain blocks with good hand positioning and leverage. In the pass game, there are instances where he overextends, thus resulting in him falling forward and losing his ability to stay attached through the rep.

Pass Sets: Walker has good lateral ability and foot quickness to get depth on his pass sets. He is quick out of his stance and is nimble on his feet to mirror and redirect. There are times where he overextends and leaves the inside vulnerable, which leads to sacks.

Competitive Toughness: This is an area in which I wish I saw a bit more from Walker. I think he plays hard and I don’t question him from a football character standpoint, I just wish he played with a little more nasty to him. I’d like to see him play with a more physical mindset and look to embarrass his opponent and impose his will against defenders.

Lateral Mobility: Walker is a smooth and nimble athlete who moves very well laterally. He is able to mirror in pass protection, showing very good foot coordination. He moves well to the second level and gets upfield in a hurry on sweeps and outside zone runs.

Length: See Above.

Football IQ: An experienced player who has been a three-year starter in the Big Ten, Walker demonstrates excellent football IQ. He understands how to handle hand counters and secondary rush moves and his timing and placement with his hands are excellent. He takes good angles to the second level and has excellent timing peeling off of double teams to handle stunts and games.

Hand Technique: See Above.

Anchor Ability: See Above.

Power at the POA: For a big man with length and mass in his lower half, you wish you saw more power at the point of attack, especially in the run game. Walker is more of a wall off/cover player at the point of attack in the run game. He rarely generates true knock back movement unless he is working a down block on a double team.

Versatility: Walker has started three straight years at left tackle for the Nittany Lions. Given his wide body and ability to play with good leverage, I could see him being a successful interior player but he has yet to show that over his three-year college career.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 73.40/100 (Fourth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 72.50/100

Marino Grade: 73.00/100

Harris Grade: 71.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 72.50/100

Weissman Grade: 78.00/100