Max
Iheanachor.
Max
Iheanachor.
Arizona State· 6'6"· 321 lb· 4.91s 40
"Movement left tackle with a rare athletic ceiling and an even rarer origin story — never played high school football, JUCO transfer to Arizona State, and won a Senior Bowl practice week against SEC-caliber rush."Pre-draft read
Plays left tackle with an impressive athletic profile; quick out of his stance, light in the kick-slide, and comfortable working to the second level. His long-arm punch is his primary pass protection win, landing his inside hand on speed rushers before their outside foot resets, then riding them past the pocket. Against power, he sinks his hips and re-anchors with a strong base, not just his upper body.
Hand placement is inconsistent in the second phase of reps; initial strikes are clean, but resets after a swipe or long-arm counter can float wide, allowing interior rushers to cross his face. In the run game, he fires off with ideal pad level and finishes on contact. He climbs to second-level linebackers on outside zone as smoothly as anyone in the class.
This prospect fits best in a wide zone run-heavy system that prioritizes athletic offensive linemen capable of reaching the second level and sustaining blocks in space.
He projects as a Year 1 swing tackle with the upside to develop into a starting left tackle by year two, capable of anchoring a high-volume outside zone run scheme.
He would struggle in a pure power-blocking scheme that relies heavily on consistent, brute force anchoring against interior power rushes, especially early in his career.
His rare athletic profile and continuous development arc suggest he can thrive in an offensive system that values mobility and reach over raw power in pass protection.
Max Iheanachor Highlights — Arizona State OT (2025 Season + Draft Tape)
Full 2025 season cutup plus pre-draft tape; shows the kick-slide, long-arm punch, and second-level climbs.
Arizona State OL Max Iheanachor — 2026 NFL Draft Highlights
Draft-focused reel emphasizing his outside-zone finishes and pass-set recovery reps.
Max Iheanachor Was the Best OT at the Senior Bowl — Todd McShay
Analytical breakdown of the Senior Bowl week that pushed him into the top-25 conversation.
Iheanachor projected as a developmental left tackle whose ceiling was a top-15 pass protector. His evaluation centered less on tape and more on his rapid development. He measured 6-5⅞ and 321 pounds, with a 33⅞-inch arm length. His 4.91 40-yard dash time put him in the 90th percentile of athletes for his position class, showcasing rare athletic upside. The small hands (9-inch) provided a singular measurable concern for teams.
He was born in Nigeria, moved to L.A. at 13, and only began playing football at 18 at East Los Angeles College. After two JUCO seasons, he became the No. 7 overall JUCO prospect in 2023. Two years at Arizona State, where he started 14 games in his final season, led to a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2025. This rapid ascendance from a non-football background to a starter earned him significant attention.
The consensus had him as a high-upside prospect, with evaluators often moving him into the top-25 conversation after strong performances, such as at the Senior Bowl. He was ultimately drafted as the 21st overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, reflecting a bet on his traits evolving with increased reps.
- 01
Rare Athletic Ceiling
His 4.91 forty at 321 pounds and 30.5-inch vertical ranks in the 90th percentile for the position.
- 02
Fluid Kick-Slide
His kick-slide is light and repeatable, covering ground without opening hips, and he recovers quickly against counters.
- 03
Effective Long-Arm Punch
He uses a long-arm punch to land his inside hand on speed rushers before their outside foot resets, riding them wide.
- 04
Second-Level Run Blocker
His movement skills in the run game allow him to climb cleanly to second-level linebackers on outside zone plays.
- 05
Rapid Development Arc
He did not play high school football, came through JUCO, and improved on tape every year leading to the draft.
- 01
Small Hands
His nine-inch hands can lead to grip slipping in the second phase of a rep, especially when counters arrive.
- 02
Inconsistent Hand Placement
Hand resets after a swipe or long-arm are inconsistent, allowing interior rushers to cross his face.
- 03
Developing Anchor
His anchor against pure power re-sets from the base, which is technically clean but slower to respond mid-rep.
- 04
Limited Football Experience
He started playing football at age 18, so his total reps against NFL-level bodies are still short of most first-round tackles.
— — — positional median (p50)
- 40 yd
- 4.91sp50
- Vertical
- 30.5inp50
- Broad jump
- 115inp50
- Three-cone
- —s
- Shuttle
- —s
- Bench
- 25repp50
| Yr | Team | G |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Arizona State | 6 |
| 2024 | Arizona State | 14 |
| 2025 | Arizona State | 12 |
| Career | — | 32 |
Merged from verified season/game stat tables; Sports-Reference remains the preferred source when reachable.
A dash means the figure is not published by a source we trust — never a zero we invented.
Big, athletic first-round tackle with a limited college starts count who was drafted on trajectory rather than volume — the same shape of bet Pittsburgh is making here.
Movement-based left tackle whose athletic ceiling let him win with angles instead of pure power; the aspirational template for Iheanachor if the hand-strike matures.
Long-career plus swing tackle who never locked down full-time left tackle; the downside if the small hands cap grip strength against NFL power.