Steelers happily select OT
MAX SCHARPING
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
T
OL52
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
Northern Illinois
HOMETOWN
CLASS
Green Bay, WI
r-Senior
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
ARMS
6' 6"
327 lbs
33 5/8”
HANDS
10”
Prospect Grade
5.83
CHANCE TO BECOME NFL STARTER
HOW WE GRADE
40 Yard Dash
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SECONDS
Bench Press
27
REPS
Vertical Jump
28.0
INCHES
Broad Jump
108.0
INCHES
3 Cone Drill
7.77
SECONDS
20 Yd Shuttle
4.69
SECONDS
60 Yd Shuttle
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SECONDS
SEE MORE RESULTS
PLAYLIST
Scharping was an all-state pick his senior year at Green Bay's Southwest High School, but wasn't picked up by his home-state Badgers. NIU is the closest FBS football program to Madison, so he took his game there. Scharping redshirted in 2014, then moved into the Huskies' starting lineup for all 14 games, 10 at right tackle and four at right guard in the midseason due to injuries on the line. He was named to the Football Writers' Association of America's Freshman All-American team after the 2015 season. MAC coaches showed appreciation of Scharping's game after the 2016 season, naming him first-team all-conference as he started all 12 games at right tackle. He moved to left tackle as a junior, starting all 13 games and again earning first-team all-conference accolades, as well as second-team Academic All-American notice. Scharping's scholastic and football achievement resulted in him being named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, as well as a first-team All-MAC selection as a 14-game starter for the Huskies. He finished his career starting all 52 possible games.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Ricky Wagner
Overview
Ascending tackle prospect with impressive combination of size and functional athletic ability. Scharping has the ability to handle bull-rushers and finds ways to recover and get guys blocked after getting beat early. However, NFL rushers will look to exploit the inconsistent footwork and balance that shows up when his pass sets become hurried and unfocused against true edge speed. He might get a shot at left tackle, but might be best-suited on the right side where he has the potential to become an above-average starter.
Strengths
- Has experience at both left and right tackle
- High achiever in the classroom and said to pick up info quickly
- Tall with well-proportioned mass and thickly muscled arms
- Adequate ability to mirror
- Changes pass-set depth and landmarks based upon opponent's speed
- Has upper-body power to muscle and press edge rushers past the quarterback
- Plays to his length with consistent arm extension to neutralize edge moves
- Inside post-hand stabs and thwarts inside moves
- Can brace and anchor after giving early ground
- Possesses mass potential and power to become grinder as run blocker
- Fits and drives through down blocks to clear the run lane of debris
- Choppy steps and good base width as base blocker
Weaknesses
- Pass-protection fundamentals in need of improvement
- Comes out of stance with weight too far outside
- Quick to open outside shoulder in pass sets, exposing an inside path
- Pass slides feature long gallops rather than choppy, controlled feet
- Fear of edge speed could make him succeptiable to inside counters
- Needs to eliminate hitch before striking with his wide, outside hand
- Late hands get challenged and discarded, forcing re-sets
- Has a tendency to linger too long on first block on combos and against twists
- Doesn't sustain run blocks like he should