|
|
Tyler Linderbaum NFL Draft Profile
|
Tyler Linderbaum Scouting ReportLinderbaum has exceptional athleticism. He explodes out of his stance with exceptional fluidity. Once he’s out of his stance, he’s always moving, always on his feet. Linderbaum gets out to the second level exceptionally well in the run game, easily outpacing his compatriots on the offensive line. For a guy who is listed at 289 pounds, he demonstrates phenomenal play speed. Whether you are an offensive line expert or an untrained eye, the other thing that stands out is Linderbaum’s competitive toughness. Tyler plays hards on every single play. He looks to finish his opponent on every snap, leading to some impressive takedowns away from the action. Linderbaum possesses excellent football intelligence. He routinely picks up unblocked pass rushers and constantly has his head on a swivel looking for work. Linderbaum demonstrates incredible strength. He is rarely overwhelmed at the point of attack, giving up little ground against most pass rushers. He uses his footwork and lower body strength to provide a solid anchor in pass protection. His strength and wrestling background help him to be a man-mover in the ground game. Furthermore, he attacks well with his hands and demonstrates a good understanding of hand placement. Linderbaum has proven to be a reliable snapper of the ball in his short career as the starting OC for Iowa. There wasn’t a single bad snap or fumbled exchange when the quarterback takes the ball under center in the games studied. This is even more impressive when considering that Linderbaum worked with two different quarterbacks during his two seasons as the starting center for the Hawkeyes. |
Areas for ImprovementAlthough Linderbaum demonstrates excellent play strength, he could use a little extra weight. The addition of a little extra bulk would help him combat the few instances of him being taken to the ground during the play. Having only taken to the position two years ago, there is some rawness to his game. He needs to iron out some technical inconsistencies, such as the timing and placement of his hands. However, this is to be expected at such a technically nuanced position. With another year of development, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Linderbaum consistently play at the highest level.
|
Tyler Linderbaum Career at SchoolHaving been recruited as a defensive tackle despite his ability to play both ways, Linderbaum saw a limited opportunity as a true freshman in 2018. The Hawkeyes were stacked with talent on the defensive line. While the environment offered the young offensive lineman valuable opportunity to learn, he saw action in just two games — Northern Illinois and Illinois — before taking a redshirt. During practices for the Outback Bowl that concluded Iowa’s 2018 season, Linderbaum took reps at OC. Impressing the coaches with his insane athleticism and innate understanding of leverages gained during his high school wrestling career, Linderbaum earned the starting role for the 2019 season. Linderbaum made 13 starts at OC for Iowa in his redshirt-freshman season. The Hawkeyes went 10-3 and defeated USC in the Holiday Bowl. In his first season playing center at the college level, Linderbaum received an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team from both the media and the conference’s coaches. Despite the disruption of the 2020 college football season and adjusting to a new quarterback, Linderbaum emerged as a leader on the offensive line. His personal development was rewarded with first-team All-Big Ten honors and first-team All-American honors by multiple media outlets. Additionally, Linderbaum was named as a finalist for the prestigious Rimington Trophy. While the personal accolades were impressive, Linderbaum’s performances had a profound impact on the Iowa offense. During the 2019 season, they allowed 1.77 sacks per game, ranking 44th in the nation. One year later, despite losing Tristan Wirfs, they allowed just 1.38 sacks and ranked 21st. With Linderbaum paving the way, the ground game grew from 137.6 yards per game in 2019 to 171.0 yards per game in 2020.
|
Tyler Linderbaum NFL Draft Player ProfileLinderbaum had a difficult decision to make at the end of the 2020 season. Should he stay for another season with the Hawkeyes or head to the NFL? As it transpires, it was never a difficult decision for the young Iowa OC as he explained to 247 Sports: “I knew I wanted to come back for sure. I wasn’t ready to leave. There’s a lot more to do, and improve on.” Although he feels that there is a lot to improve on, Linderbaum goes into the upcoming college football season as the best offensive center in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Moreover, he is one of the most impressive offensive linemen of any position in the class. The positional value may hamper the potential to be a first-round selection. However, there’s no doubting that the Iowa OC has first-round talent.
|
 |