NFL Draft Profile: Jeremy Ruckert, Tight End, Ohio State Buckeyes

NFL draft profile scouting report for Ohio State tight end, Jeremy Ruckert

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#2
Pos: WR
Ht: 6054
Wt: 252
Hand: 1018
Arm: 3258
Wing: 7918
Bench: 19
DOB: 8/11/00
Eligible: 2022
Lindenhurst, NY
Lindenhurst High School

Jeremy Ruckert
Ohio State Buckeyes

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One-Liners

Jeremy Ruckert is a player who will have to rely on his blocking prowess to succeed at the next level because he does not offer much value as a receiver.

Pros:

Ruckert excels as a run blocker using explosiveness to get out of his stance on the snap of the ball. His quick burst upfield gives him the required power to dominate when advancing into the second level. He uses leg drive as his blocking platform. He was able to be used in a versatile role, lining up for the Buckeyes as a traditional in-line tight end, H-back and in the slot. Flashes extreme pop and power capable of putting defenders on the ground. He offers his quarterback a pair of safe hands, ones that won’t be overly aggressive to snatch the ball out of the air but also not soft to a fault. Shows suddenness and burst off the line. Ruckert can be a very solid safety blanket over the middle of the field or in the flats. Contributed on the punt coverage unit this season and has past experience on the extra-point team. 

Cons:

At the line of scrimmage, Ruckert still has work to do with becoming a better blocker in a gap concept. He will sometimes overset his body, allowing defenders to quickly get through his gap assignment. As a receiver, Ruckert lacks the foot speed or quickness to make an impact against man coverage. Doesn’t really show the needed functional strength against physical linebackers in coverage to make plays on the ball through contact. Isn’t a very dynamic athlete, which limits his ability before and after the catch. Ruckert also struggles in general route running to make quick cuts or sell his routes to create separation. 

Summary:

Jeremy Ruckert is an experienced tight end for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has earned his keep over the past few seasons because of his ability as a blocker, above anything else. He displays good power in all facets of run blocking and can be a lead blocker into the second level. There remains some technical deficiencies, though, with his body position on blocking ina gap concept. As a receiver, he is still fairly raw and was underutilized in his time at Ohio State. He lacks the dynamic athleticism to be an elite target, but he has the makings to be a reliable target for his quarterback. 

Background:

Jeremey Ruckert attended Lindenhurst high school in New York where he was a All-USA Today first-team offense selection and aught 61 passes for 1,094 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior, plus added 61 tackles with 13 sacks and two INTs from his defensive end/linebacker position. After high school, 247Sports ranked him as a 4-Star recruit, the 37th-best recruit nationally, the 2nd-ranked tight end recruit in the country and the 1st recruit in the state of New York.

Ruckert committed to Ohio State and as a true freshman in 2018 he appeared in 1 game and finished with one catch for 13 yards. In 2019, he appeared in nine games and finished with 14 catches for 142 yards and four touchdowns. In 2020, he appeared in five games and finished with 13 catches for 151 yards and five touchdowns. In 2021, he appeared in 11 games and finished with 26 catches for 309 yards and three touchdowns.

Ruckert was named to the Academic All-Big Ten teams in 2019 and 2020. Ruckert’s stats won’t pop off the screen but that’s because he’s mainly been used as a blocking tight end and Ohio State’s offense prioritizes getting the ball to it’s talented receivers. Ruckert understands his role and fulfills it passionately, “Like I’ve always said since I’ve been here, some days it’s in the run game and some days it’s in the pass game,” Ruckert said. “Whatever it is, just being able to make plays when your name is called (is key).” Ruckert’s teammates understand the impact he has on the team. Star quarterback, CJ Stroud says of Ruckert’s skillset, “He’s a great tight end. (He has) great body language and great routes.”

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Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

6.8 / 7.5

Floor/Ceiling: Developmental / Solid Backup

Scheme Fit: H-Back

Grade: 5th Round

Injury History: N/A

Character Notes: N/A

NFL Draft: Hot Take Tuesday - Jeremy Ruckert Extremely Underrated

2/8/22 - At six-foot-five, 250 pounds, Ruckert has fantastic size for the tight end position. He is also very athletic and has a good first step. Because of Ruckert's blocking ability, he should be a starter as a rookie. His reliable hands and separation ability will make him a quarterback's best friend. At the Senior Bowl, Ruckert showed that he was an excellent receiver, consistently winning his one on one matchups against linebackers. Ohio State doesn't utilize their tight ends as much as other schools, yet Ruckert still flashed tremendous potential in that regard. Ruckert had 615 yards in his career as a Buckeye; it wouldn't be surprising to see him potentially top that as a rookie. Ruckert is a Long Island native, and a perfect landing spot would be to the Jets at either 35 or trade back into the first round, where he'd quickly become Zach Wilson's favorite target.

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