Scouting Report and Highlights: Gators OT Commit Fletcher Westphal

The Florida Gators secured a bookend tackle talent in Fletcher Westphal on Monday. Learn more about the people mover's skill set via All Gators' scouting report.

The Florida Gators have prioritized offensive trench talent in the 2024 recruiting cycle, landing three prospects at the position before Monday in tackles Marcus Mascoll and Mike Williams and guard Noel Portnjagin. 

While each presents valuable traits to suggest high upside, none are classified as blue-chip prospects. 

Enter Fletcher Westphal.

Westphal, ranked as the No. 288 overall player per 247Sports composite rankings, is the highest-rated exterior blocker the Gators have landed since Issiah Walker (No. 157) in 2020. Standing at 6-foot-8.5, 335 pounds, the Tuscarora High (Leesburg, Va.) native presents the towering presence needed to operate as a blindside protector in the future.

All Gators went to the tape to comprehensively assess what Westphal brings to the table.

Scouting report: Gators OT commit Fletcher Westphal

The first thing that sticks out when analyzing Westphal's tape is his aforementioned size. Just a shade under 6-foot-9 and well over three bills, Westphal casts an immediate shadow on his opponents as the biggest player on the field every time he steps between the white lines.

On run plays, he does a great job of using that size advantage to overpower defenders and drive them off the ball. Despite his stature, Westphal performs with solid pad level at the point of attack, getting underneath the opposing defensive linemen to easily move them off their spot. 

Showing the pronounced mobility to dance with the edge rushers he faces and the ability to work into the second level, springing ball carriers loose for chunk plays.

Doubling as a defensive lineman at the prep level, Westphal demonstrates an impressive burst off the ball and his long reach to create separation against opposing OL.

Both attributes translate to the other side of the ball. Namely, when he flips to the other side of the line of scrimmage, he embodies a notable mean streak which involves him playing through the whistle to finish blocks into the ground more often than not.

In pass protection, Westphal is equally valuable as he is when working downhill.

That fact heavily influenced Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton's interest in his skill set. More prudently, it made him a must-land in Billy Napier's eyes as he attempts to build a wall of protection around future franchise quarterback talent DJ Lagway.

Westphal immediately became the face of the endeavor with his pledge to UF.

He's equipped with a strong opening punch, lower body strength, the ability to sink his hips to create leverage and impressive bend, indicating a formidable left tackle prospect for the next level. He uses his frame to gain depth on his initial kick step, perfect to combat speed rushers off the edge and shows patience after his first move.

The skills — paired with his size — combine the most coveted attributes for modern left tackles, giving the Gators the missing piece to the puzzle along the offensive trenches. 

His footwork and his ability to mirror defenders' counters can improve, but that will come with improved coaching and enhanced understanding at the next level.

Overall, Westphal is a prototypical left tackle prospect that the Gators have searched for from the prep level over the last few cycles. He possesses the size, length and athleticism to make an impact early. 

Accordingly, the landing is a major splash for Florida as it triumphs over the likes of was able to beat out Clemson, Arkansas, Georgia and Auburn for his services.

Observe highlights from Westphal's junior season below:

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