SI All-American Candidate Eli Richey Highlights and Evaluation
Prospect: OL Eli Richey
Projected Position: Offensive Guard
Status: SI All-American candidate
Vitals: 6-foot-5, 290 pounds
School: Greensboro (Ala.) Southern Academy
Considering: Georgia Tech and others
Frame: Big chest and wide shoulders. Average length. Strong trunk in lower half with big thighs and calves.
Athleticism: Snap to whistle type. Anxious and urgent at the snap and engages quickly. Good upper-body strength and point explosion. Capable of bringing his feet and digging man out of alleys. Can climb to linebackers in his linear track.
Instincts: Takes appropriate initial angle when asked to downblock and delivers good thump. Sustains with strength in base-block situations. At his best when short-setting in pass-protection to reduce space. Capable of using a decent power step to recover and bury when blocking half a man across the pocket.
Polish: Plays left and right tackle. Executes mostly gap-scheme blocking concepts, via power and counter leads. Limited pass-protection reps and experience. May struggle with speed-rushers and recovery at college level. Can appear fairly heavy-footed when in space at times.
Bottom Line: While he currently plays on the edges at left and right tackle, Richey likely will kick inside to guard at the next level. He’s a rugged trenchman with good upper-body strength and excels in phone booths.