Quote:Yes Gennesy may be camp fodder. But I am a homer and love 1st team SEC selections. Especially as UDFA. He can play guard with serious weight training.



Overview

A&M has become a place that scouts look for offensive linemen, as the Aggies have produced first-round picks on the line in the past four drafts. Whether or not Gennesy is selected that high, league coaches believed he played well enough at the left tackle spot in 2016 to earn first-team All-SEC honors. He originally planned to go to Arkansas State out of high school, but failed to qualify academically. After two years at East Mississippi Community College (where he won a national title), Gennesy spent a redshirt year in College Station. Once a starting spot at left tackle opened up in 2015, he stepped up to start every game at that spot.


Analysis Strengths Has lateral agility and desire to get to difficult reach blocks in zone game. Rapid responder out of snap. Shoots out on top of defensive ends with quick sets and hustles to swing his hips into position to wall off three-techniques on gap plays. Able to torque his hips and widen defenders off the edge. Moves well in space with desired body control on all levels. Can pull effectively. Choppy, controlled kick slide. Able to gain enough ground against most edge speed. Feet and balance help mirror effectively and can redirect back inside. Latches onto defenders with strong hands. Has length and athletic ability for adequate recovery when beaten. Aware and alert. Senses twists coming and understands how to handle them.


Weaknesses High-cut with long waist and stiffness in his hips. Not a natural bender. Too tall into pass sets, allowing bull-rushers a viable attack point under his pads. Fears speed-to-power rushers and leans into engagements in order to supplement his anchor. Rarely asked to generate push at point of attack as base blocker and might lack leverage to do it on pro level. Hands prefer to gather and grab rather than punch. Average block finisher. Wide hands might be muscle-memory issue that is difficult to correct. At the top of the rush arc, will push and muscle rushers rather than continuing to slide feet to cut off the angle. Edges a little soft and could struggle to find redirect strength.


Draft Projection Round 5 Sources Tell Us "He's unique because he's athletic and has great feet, but his hips are stiff. He's not strong enough to play guard and his anchor could get quarterbacks hit too much." -- Scout with AFC North team NFL Comparison Marshall Newhouse Bottom Line Former junior college transfer who displayed the athleticism that allowed Texas A&M to keep Germain Ifedi at right tackle in 2015. Foot quickness could make him a target of teams who ask more from their tackles in the run game, but his lack of bend could create consistent issues against bull-rushers. While teams could try him at guard, he will likely stay outside at tackle and compete as a swing tackle right away. -Lance Zierlein