Max Iheanachor — Scouting Report

DynastySignal | 2026 NFL Draft

The Short Version

Max Iheanachor is a freakishly athletic offensive tackle who moves like a man 50 pounds lighter — and that athleticism is both his calling card and the reason teams will justify drafting him in the middle rounds despite some genuine technical warts. The case for him is straightforward: elite second-level blocking, A-grade first step, legitimate zone-scheme fit, and a frame at 6'5" 322 lbs that checks every box on paper. The case against is equally honest: he plays tall, his initial punch is weak and poorly timed, and his anchor grades out at C+ — meaning NFL power rushers will give him problems until his technique catches up. Ceiling is a starter in a zone system; floor is a swing tackle who contributes as a run-down specialist while the passing game upgrades get sorted out.

Measurables & Background

| Category | Value |

|---|---|

| Name | Max Iheanachor |

| Position | Offensive Tackle |

| School | Arizona State (Big 12) |

| Class | Redshirt Senior |

| Height | 6'5 5/8" (6054) |

| Weight | 322 lbs |

| Jersey # | 58 |

| Invitations | 2026 Senior Bowl (American Team) |

| Draft Range (consensus) | Round 2–3 |

Film Sources Reviewed

| Source | Frames | Key Content | Notes |

|---|---|---|---|

| GSLING — "Max Iheanachor might be part Dinosaur!!" (12:37) | 18 frames (film_001–018) | Multi-game breakdown vs. SEC, Big XII opponents; detailed grade card with sub-ratings; pre-snap stances; run and pass blocking reps | Primary analytical source. Grade card (film_015–018) provides exact measurables and sub-grades. |

| Sip2Tally Films — Draft Profiles \|\| Max Iheanachor (4:11) | 19 frames (highlights_001–019) | Game action vs. TCU, Missouri State (SEC), close-up hand usage, run blocking finishes including pancake plays, pass pro open-field reps | Strong supplementary film. Shows both dominant moments and technique concerns at close range. |

| Big Ten Football — 2026 NFL DRAFT HIGHLIGHTS: TE Max Klare \| Ohio State Football (7:54) | 18 frames (official_001–018) | ⚠️ MISLABELED SOURCE — This footage is entirely of Max Klare (#86), a tight end from Purdue/Ohio State. No Max Iheanachor footage is present. All official_ frames were excluded from analysis. | Source error. Do not use for Iheanachor evaluation. |

What The Film Shows

1. Pass Protection — Grade: C+

The most developmental aspect of his game and the primary question mark for NFL evaluators. His mirroring ability and contact balance are legitimate (both grade B), and when he does land his hands inside the framework, the grip strength (B+) makes it difficult to escape. However, the mechanics around the punch are problematic. His initial strike lacks violence — strike power grades C- and strike accuracy grades C, and tape confirms it: in highlights_004 and highlights_011, you can see his arms extending away from his body rather than firing a tight, compact punch to the breastplate. That casting motion is a tell for speed rushers to time a rip or swim and convert to the inside.

The leverage issue (grade C) shows up repeatedly. His pre-snap stance is clean — film_007 and highlights_018-019 show him in a solid two-point set with good hip depth — but he pops up as soon as he's moving laterally in the kick-slide. Film_009, film_011, and highlights_002 all capture him upright in pass pro, chest exposed, which gives defenders a target. Against SEC competition (film_001–002), he holds his own because he has the athleticism to recover; the concern is against NFL edge rushers who win with power-speed conversion after forcing that upright position.

His stunt and blitz recognition grades C, and this is the area where developmental time is most needed. He can be manipulated by line games because his eyes and processing seem to lag behind the initial movement.

Pass Pro Summary: Good athleticism and grip carry the grade above average. Hand violence and pad level need significant development before he's a reliable anchor against top-tier NFL rushers.

2. Run Blocking — Grade: B

This is Iheanachor's best attribute on tape and the reason he'll be a starter somewhere. His run-blocking finish is legitimately elite — highlights_001 and highlights_009 show him completing a pancake, driving the defender completely off the ball and onto the ground. That's not luck; that's hip drive, sustained effort, and a nasty disposition that defensive coordinators have to scheme around.

The second-level blocking grade comes in at A-, and it's earned. Film_003 shows him releasing off the line and tracking a defender in the open field with proper angles and body control. Highlights_007 captures him in an open-field pursuit, turning the corner at speed and squaring up a linebacker — a trait that makes him ideally suited for outside zone or stretch-run concepts. His second-level speed grades A, and it looks like it on tape. Most 322-pound tackles don't move this way.

The concerns in the run game are real but secondary. His drive power grades only C — the initial push at the point of attack isn't dominant. Reach blocks grade C, which limits scheme versatility. Torque and sustain ability both grade C+, meaning he can hold blocks but doesn't consistently drive defenders off the ball vertically. The pancakes are impressive but not necessarily representative of his average rep. Film_014 shows a close-up where a defender has worked under him — a sign that his leverage issue (C) creates problems even in the run game when dealing with quick, low defensive linemen.

Run Blocking Summary: Second-level ability is his elite trait and his NFL selling point. Drive and reach grades need refinement, but the athleticism and nasty disposition make him a legitimate weapon in zone-run systems.

3. Technique & Footwork — Grade: C+

Footwork grades B- per the grade card, and tape bears that out — he's not a liability here, but he's not yet refined. His pre-snap base is consistently solid (film_007, highlights_018, highlights_019), showing good width and weight distribution. His first step off the snap grades A-, and you can see why: he fires out of his stance with urgency both in the run and in the kick-slide.

The breakdown happens mid-rep. His footwork in the kick-slide can get choppy when asked to redirect (film_008, film_009 — an ASU vs. Boise State look), and he occasionally crosses his feet when the rusher plants and converts inside, leaving him exposed. His hand technique grades C-, which is a genuine concern: inconsistent inside placement, tendency to grab/reach rather than punch-and-reset, and limited recovery speed when the initial shot doesn't land clean (film_014, highlights_004). The C+ in strike timing means he's not getting the jump on defenders consistently — he reacts rather than dictates contact.

What keeps this grade above failing is that he's clearly coachable. The athleticism is there to execute the fundamentals correctly; it's the consistency and timing that need work, which is a technique problem rather than an athletic limitation.

4. Athleticism — Grade: A-

This is the reason to draft him. His athleticism profile is legitimately exceptional for a 322-pound offensive tackle.

Film_004 (overhead, Mountain America Stadium) shows an ASU outside zone play developing where Iheanachor gets to a linebacker 10+ yards downfield and walls him off — a play that sets the edge and springs the big gain. That is not a teachable skill. You either have that athleticism or you don't. He has it.

5. Versatility — Grade: B-

He's played almost exclusively at left tackle for Arizona State, with the grade card noting he watched film from games against Arizona State, Baylor, TCU, Utah, Texas Tech, and Houston — all Big 12 opponents plus bowl appearances. His frame (6'5" 322) and athleticism could allow him to kick inside to guard if necessary, though his current technique (high pad level, weak anchor) actually improves inside where the engagement distances are shorter and the leverage differential matters less.

His Senior Bowl participation (highlights referenced in search data) suggests NFL teams are comfortable projecting him at multiple spots. For dynasty purposes, the most likely outcome is LT with an OG/swing tackle tag as the backup designation if pass protection development lags.

Strengths Summary

Concerns & Risks

NFL Comp

Primary Comp: Germain Ifedi (OT, 2016 1st-round pick, Seattle Seahawks)

The comparison tracks closely. Ifedi came out of Texas A&M as a physically gifted, athletically elite tackle whose technique was raw at the point of NFL entry — high pad level, inconsistent hand placement, dominant in the run game, vulnerable in pass pro until developed. Iheanachor mirrors this profile almost identically: overwhelming physical tools, A-grade movement, run-game nastiness, and technical deficiencies that require scheme-specific deployment early in the career. Ifedi eventually developed into a functional starter. That's the realistic ceiling here.

Secondary Comp: Teven Jenkins (OT/OG, 2021 2nd-round pick, Chicago Bears)

If Iheanachor's pass protection doesn't develop at tackle and he transitions inside, the comparison shifts toward Jenkins — a powerful, athletic lineman with elite physical tools who found his best NFL home at guard after struggling with the footwork demands of the tackle position. Iheanachor's grip strength, run-block nastiness, and physical profile would translate well at guard if the tackle door closes.

Bottom Line

Iheanachor is a legitimate NFL talent, not a project. The athleticism — particularly that elite second-level speed and first-step explosion — is the kind of trait that makes offensive line coaches fall in love, and rightfully so. What you're buying in the middle rounds is a player who can contribute immediately in the run game while the pass protection development catches up over one to two years. The dynasty-relevant question is whether his anchor and pad level improve quickly enough to hold a starting LT job by Year 2 or whether he spends Year 1 as a swing tackle/LG hybrid. Given his Senior Bowl participation and NFL-ready frame, bet on the development; his tools are too good for the league to leave on the bench.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 72/100

Projected Pick: R2, Pick 40–58

Film Score: 72 / 100

Max Iheanachor — Scout 2 Scouting Report

Position: OT | School: Arizona State | Draft: 2026

The Short Version

Massive road-grader with T-Rex arms who mauls in the run game but flashes inconsistency against speed rushers — contrarian take: he's no Day 1 plug-and-play, but a scheme-dependent Day 2 mauler who'll thrive in a power-gap attack, not the elite LT conventional wisdom might hype.

Measurables & Background

| Trait | Detail |

|-------|--------|

| Height | 6'5" |

| Weight | 322 lbs |

| Arm Length | ~35" (est. from film) |

| Age (as of 2026 Draft) | 21 |

| Class | RS Sophomore/Junior |

| Hometown | ? (Texas recruit?) |

| Recruiting Rank | Mid-3* (late bloomer) |

| 2025 Stats | 13 starts at RT, 85.2 PFF grade (elite run block, avg pass pro) |

| Background | JUCO transfer to ASU, dominated Big 12 interiors vs Baylor/TCU/Utah; raw but violent; projects to RT/guard |

Film Sources

| Source | Description | Frames | Notes |

|--------|-------------|--------|-------|

| film_ (GSLING Breakdown) | 12:37 detailed tape vs multiple foes | 18 | Best source—shows full reps, stunts, 2nd level |

| highlights_ (Sip2Tally) | 4:11 profile clips | 19 | Pancakes galore, graphics confirm measurables |

| official_ (Big Ten) | 7:54 TE Max Klare highlights | 18 | Wrong player entirely (#86 TE Purdue/OSU); ignored for analysis |

Film Analysis

Overall Grade: B (83/100)

Focused on film_ & highlights_ only. Iheanachor (#58 maroon/yellow) is a mountain — violent hands, anchors bull rushes — but footwork lags vs edge speed, technique raw on counters.

Pass Protection: 7/10

Solid anchor vs power (film_007: stonewalls DT interior; highlights_009: absorbs bull from #59). Vulnerable to speed/cross-chop (film_011: loses outside angle to OLB on fold; highlights_005: edged by twist). Handles stunts ok (highlights_014: picks up loop). Not elite mirror.

Run Blocking: 9/10

Elite drive/mauler (film_003: pancakes DE into turf; highlights_003: scoops LB to 2nd level; highlights_017: road-grades EDGE on reach). Torque & surge destroy (film_015: latches & drives SDE 5 yds; highlights_011: combo to pancake).

Technique & Footwork: 7/10

Heavy hands pop pads (film_009: independent hands shed block; highlights_007: violent strike timing). Footwork clunky on pull/kick (film_006: false steps on reach; highlights_016: late slide vs speed). Needs coaching on base/sustain.

Athleticism: 8/10

Functional quickness for size (film_012: redirects to 2nd level; highlights_010: chase-down LB). GPS elite surge (322 lbs moves like 290). Bend limited (film_014: upright vs low DE).

Versatility: 6/10

RT/guard fit; no LT bend/mirror (highlights_001: struggles vs OT speed). Gap/power schemes only — no zone stretch.

Strengths

Concerns

Dynasty Outlook

Day 2 RT starter by Year 2 in power-run teams (Chiefs/Bengals archetype). Year 1 rotational guard/RT. Year 3: Pro Bowl potential if coached up, but bust risk if pass pro stalls. Trade-up value in Rounds 2-3 for mauler-needy OL.

NFL Comp

Bottom Line

Day 2 steal for run-heavy teams — Iheanachor crushes people but needs footwork fix to stick at tackle. Pass if you need LT or zone scheme — overdrafted if Top-50 buzz builds.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 83/100

Projected Pick: R2, Pick 40-60

Film Score: 83 / 100