Centers left -- scouts reports
Teams typically wait at this valuable position. But 2026 may be the time for teams to strike. Iowa's Logan Jones is head of class. Scouts dish to Bob McGinn.
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2. CONNOR LEW, Auburn (6-3 ½, 309, no 40, 3-4): Third-year junior came out a year early despite the fact he suffered a torn ACL in mid-October and missed the last seven games. “I’m sure he’ll go back to the re-check (in Indianapolis),” one scout said. “I don’t know where that puts him if he’s got to start the year on PUP (physically unable to perform list). Does that drop him a round, or half a round, or what? I really liked him a lot. If healthy, I thought Lew was the best (center).” Two-year starter. Also beset by a sprained MCL in early 2025. “He could go third round,” another scout said. “He’s good. Athletic, quick. Really good in the run game. Big and strong.” Posted a 4.0 grade-point average in high school. Lettered in wrestling. “I thought he was a solid second-rounder and a starting center,” said a third scout. Paced the centers on the bench press with 31 reps. Arms were 32 3/8, hands were just 9. From Kennesaw, Ga.
3. SAM HECHT, Kansas State (6-4, 303, 5.16, 4): Walked on in 2021 and redshirted. Backed up in 2022-’23 before starting 25 games in 2024-’25. “He’s got to go to a zone team because he’s a down-block, double-team, duo type of guy,” said one scout. “He’s been underweight. He weighs 300, and that’s probably a stretch sometimes to stay at 300. Those Iowa centers who were too small and played for 10 years … that’s kind of what Sam is. Really a good athlete. Stays after it. He’s gonna get bulled by pass rushers. Domonique Orange of Iowa State just ran over him a couple times although he did (play) better against him this year. Mid-round pick. He may have to wait a year to gain some weight. I like Sam as a player but he’s got to be in the right system. He needs a zone team, a scoop team, outside zone, inside zone, that kind of team.” Arms were 31 5/8, hands were 9 7/8. Just 20 reps on the bench. “Love that kid,” a second scout said. “The size does show up but he’s a good football player. I could see him in the right scenario, a zone scheme, being a low-level starter. He can get out on pulls. He can move. He’s just small and 32-inch arms. Garrett Bradbury is very similar. The kid’s character is top-shelf.” Won many academic honors, and was a semifinalist for the academic Heisman. “You know what?” said a third scout. “He’ll start as a rookie, probably. He can execute cut-off blocks. He’s tough. He neutralizes guys. He’s one of those guys who tries to finish. He’s probably second round if you need a center. He’s quick. He can redirect. He’s aggressive. He’s a good one.” From Shawnee, Kan.
Jager Burton, Kentucky (6-4, 312, 4.97)
One scout said: “I think he’s a center first but can compete at guard. He’s got size and length (32 ½ arms). Got a lot of starting experience. You can see he leads the group upfront. He’s stout, but I don’t know how powerful he is in the run game. I don’t think the center-pull stuff is his game. He’s more gonna be firm, he’ll snap the ball and he’s gonna lead the troops. You’re not going to run down the cylinder very much because of his ability to anchor.”
Pat Coogan, Indiana (6-5 ½, 311, no 40)
One scout said: “I gave him a fourth-fifth grade because he has too many intangibles. He’s gonna make a ballclub. He’s gonna be an eight-year veteran. He’s got adequate everything as far as speed, strength and athletic ability. He’s a position mauler. He doesn’t do anything bad and he’s a mauler. I like those guys. Stout in pass pro. He can handle the nose guard. My report read the same way last year (before he left Notre Dame).”
Brian Parker, Duke (6-5, 309, 5.16)
One scout said: “Played right tackle for three years and didn’t look out of place there. Competitive kid, really tough. I was a little higher on him (as a center) before I saw him snap this spring. He’s not Graham Barton by any means. He’s smart and reliable.”
James Brockermeyer, Miami (6-3, 298, 5.31)
One scout said: “He’s smart as hell. His dad (Blake, NFL left tackle, 1995-’03, 103 starts) played. He’s little. Doesn’t look the part. He’s not for everybody. He’s undersized, but he doesn’t play small. He can take big guys one-on-one, bigger nose tackles, and block ‘em. He looks little. Nothing wrong with that, but guys like that usually kind of fall in (later) in the draft.”
Parker Brailsford, Alabama (6-2, 289, 5.00)
One scout said: “He’s talented but he’s so small. With all respect, he started at two major school (Washington, Alabama). But he’s a tiny guy. He makes Mark Stepnoski look like a giant. He was a great player, but he was small. I don’t think this guy is that.”
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