Scouting Profile: Connor Colby - IOL - Iowa
Sales Pitch: Experienced guard with the movement skills to live in a zone scheme. Lacks the physical tools to be much more than a backup with low end starter upside.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Connor Colby is a former 4-Star recruit from the state of Iowa. An experienced player, he started over 50 games for the Hawkeyes across both guard spots and RT, finishing his career with 36 straight starts. Colby was an impact player from start to finish, receiving Freshman All-American honors in 2021 and closing out his career with back to back All-Big 10 nods.
Colby is a tall guard with solid weight and athletic ability. Iowa was a heavy zone run team during his time there - 70/30 split - which fit his strengths perfectly. Colby shows good first step quickness to get out of his stance on the move. He has an excellent understanding of zone tracks and how to adjust his frame to give ball carriers a clear lane. He consistently runs his feet and has the hip fluidity to get around and seal reach blocks on the backside. Colby is not an overly powerful player but when he get hands on he will finish blocks through the dirt. He can get decent displacement on double teams and is quick to combo to the 2nd level where he has the reaction speed to identify color and latch on. Colby is efficient and quick with his hand usage in pass protection, and keeps a wide frame to prevent quick wins.
Colby is a very scheme specific guard because he lacks the ideal length or power to operate in a gap scheme. He lacks pop with his hands or pads when shooting out of his stance. His high cut frame creates leverage issues and when he tries to shoot out lower he becomes off-balance and easily ripped down. Colby has short arms and average grip strength, which limits his ability to control reps. Defenders are able to easily separate from his hands and discard him to make plays in the hole. Colby is a far better run blocker than pass protector. He is inconsistent with his set points, often over committing and opening up counter lanes. He is slow to recognize stunts and twists, frequently being late to slam the door closed. Colby’s issues with pad level and length show up in protection as well. His upright chest is an easy target for power rushers and he lacks the strength to play through contact. Even average power rushers are able to get into his chest and drive him back, sometimes only needing one punch to send him reeling to the side.
Colby profiles as a backup guard in a zone running scheme. His physical profile and pass protection ability are below average for an NFL starter, but in the right scheme his quickness and zone IQ could translate to a starting gig. Colby projects as a Day-3 pick as offensive line depth, who could start at either guard spot if needed.