The Utah Utes have had nine offensive linemen selected in the NFL Draft since 2010. They are more of a defensive factory than offensive, with LB Devin Lloyd likely a first-round pick this year and CB Clark Phillips III in 2023. However, the Utah offensive line has a bit of an enigma in the 2022 class — offensive tackle Bamidele Olaseni is a behemoth of a man, but is his scouting report worthy of a selection in the NFL Draft?
Bamidele Olaseni NFL Draft Profile
- Position: OffensiveTackle
- School: Utah
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
- Height: 6’7″
- Weight: 339 pounds
- Wingspan: 88 3/8″
- Arm: 36 1/2″
- Hand: 9 7/8″
Bamidele Olaseni Scouting Report
There is nowhere else to start Olaseni’s scouting report than with his towering stature. At 6’7″ and 339 pounds, few rival his sheer size in the 2022 NFL Draft. Additionally, his 88 3/8″ wingspan would be the largest currently in the NFL. It also just so happens to be the same length as a full-grown Canadian goose — take that for what you will.
As a result, Olaseni is a “first off the bus” type of player. He strikes fear into defenders simply by taking the field. But there is more to the looming Utah OT than meets the eye. Hailing from North London, Bam is a much older prospect at 26. Yet, he is still relatively new to the position, first playing in the US in 2017. So, while he is an older prospect, he is still underdeveloped.
From England to JUCO to Utah
Following two years at JUCO powerhouse Garden City College, Olaseni spent two seasons riding the pine at Utah before taking over the starting LT job in 2021. The wait was worth it for the Utes, as he provided a brick wall as a blindside protector. His play earned him a Shrine Bowl invite, bringing his talents to Las Vegas.
Olaseni play was volatile, but he ultimately proved he isn’t as raw as many claimed. While he was snubbed from the Combine, his pro day numbers were underwhelming. He recorded a 5.43 40 time, 26″ vertical, 8’0″ broad, 5.02 short shuttle, and 8.25 three-cone.
We’ll delve into Olaseni’s strengths and weaknesses below, but overall, he is strictly a project offensive tackle who may even kick into guard. His technique and limited flexibility will see him as a late-Day 3 pick at best, as he may end up going undrafted. Nevertheless, the tools are there to stash on the practice squad and attempt to develop.
Where Olaseni wins
This subheading should really just be labeled “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Olaseni owns the size advantage against nearly every opponent he lines up against. His 36″ arms are equipped with cinder blocks on the end, deadening rushers in one strike. If Olaseni gets his hands on opponents, there is a high chance he has already won the rep.
Speaking of his hands, the Utah OT owns a flash move, faking quick hands to force defenders to commit to an initial move. Olaseni doesn’t own impressive quickness, but when edge rushers bend around the arc, he can use his length to push them around the pocket. Additionally, he possesses the core strength to absorb strong hands and hold his position. He can reset his base when driven back with decent foot speed.
In the ground game, Olaseni’s upper body torque allows him to move defenders against their will. Furthermore, his leg drive and lower body power increase his people-moving ability. He can work double-teams to the second level, creating lanes for running backs. The Utes product flashed the ability to turn and seal on zone runs, flipping his hips to wall off defenders.
Olaseni’s tape shows consistent progression and an upward trajectory. He has a ton of work to do, as we will discuss below, but he showcased top-tier play against USC’s Drake Jackson and even some reps vs. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Utah OT also has special-teams experience on the field-goal unit, and he took reps at guard at the Shrine Bowl, displaying versatility and willingness to do whatever teams ask of him.
Areas for improvement
As mentioned before, Olaseni is pretty raw from a technique standpoint. He bends at the waist rather than with his knees, lunging at defenders frequently. Also, he can shift weight over his toes, leaving him susceptible to pull moves. Olaseni begins with decent pad level — though he can sink his hips more in his stance to further improve there — but gets too high mid-play.
Against speedier rushers, which is admittedly most compared to the Utah OT, he occasionally over sets, allowing quick inside pressure. Olaseni lacks the lateral quickness to recover, and even his long arms can’t prevent such situations. When squared up, he can narrow his base, leading to diminished anchor potential.
Additionally, the Utes tackle is a bit slow out of pass sets, giving edge rushers an immediate advantage at times. He tends to shuffle out of his stance rather than explode into a kick step. His hand placement is also inconsistent. Due to his stature, his hands can fire high, either hitting defenders in the helmet or allowing them to ghost under. Olaseni isn’t prone to wide hands either, leaving his chest open more than you’d like.
The Utah product will need to clean up his footwork. On run plays, he simply lumbers forward rather than maintaining leverage and cutting off opponents. In pass protection, he gives up soft edges too often by bailing and turning his outside hip. Currently, Olaseni’s lower body mechanics and flexibility are simply not up to snuff.
Olaseni’s Player Profile
Hailing from London, Olaseni didn’t pick up football until later in his life. In fact, he grew up on the basketball court and soccer pitch growing up. He also participated in track and field before playing for the U19 London Blitz in the British American Football Association. That was his first exposure to the sport before landing in Kansas and suiting up for Garden City Community College.
Olaseni turned his two years with the program, including a first-team NJCAA All-American bid in 2018, into a four-star recruit billing by the 247Sports Composite. As the No. 9 JUCO prospect in the nation, he had no shortage of Power Five interest. Olaseni received offers from Ohio State, Texas, Ole Miss, Minnesota, and others. However, the London native had his sites set on Utah.
Olaseni’s career at Utah
Olaseni made an instant impression on campus, but it would be a while before he made valuable contributions. He played in two games at right tackle his first season but ultimately redshirted. Then, in 2020, he played in all five of Utah’s games on special teams — but not on offense. But in 2021, the Utes were finally ready to unleash Olaseni on the conference.
He started 11 of 14 games (10 at LT and 1 at RT), earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors. Utah’s schedule allowed Olaseni to face the likes of Jackson, Thibodeaux, San Diego State’s Cameron Thomas, and Ohio State’s Zach Harrison. He had his ups and downs, but having ups against NFL-caliber edge rushers was a must for Olaseni’s draft stock since he is largely a projection.
Olaseni’s NFL Draft ascension
There is no way around it, Olaseni is a true project tackle. He is physically developed, but he still has a ways to go from a mental and technique standpoint. With subpar lateral movement skills, some teams may even try him at guard.
Olaseni’s tape reminds me a bit of former Florida lineman Trent Brown. He was also a massive human but moved a bit more easily, which appeared in his Combine testing. Still, Olaseni plays a similar game and could go in the same range as Brown did in the 2015 NFL Draft — seventh round.
- Brown (2015 Combine): 6’8″, 355 pounds, 36″ arms, 10 7/8″ hands, 5.29 40-yard dash, 23.5″ vertical, 8’1″ broad, 4.78 short shuttle
- Olaseni (2022 Pro Day): 6’7 1/8″, 339 pounds, 36 1/2″ arms, 9 7/8″ hands, 5.43 40-yard dash, 26″ vertical, 8’0″ broad, 5.02 short shuttle
Yet, the team selecting Olaseni or signing him as an undrafted free agent must understand he won’t be ready to play in Year 1 — or Year 2 for that matter. At 26, that means he won’t see the field until he is 27 or 28, which is not what you want from a rookie. Regardless, the physical tools are there to mold Olaseni into a solid swing tackle or even starter at the peak of his variance. That’s worth a late-round flier or practice-squad stash at the very least.