Scouting Profile: Jared Wilson - IOL - Georgia
Sales Pitch: Athletic center who excels in space. Inexperienced player with some technical shortcomings but could be a quality starter in a zone scheme.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Jared Wilson is a former 3-Star recruit from the state of North Carolina. He had to wait until his 4th season in Athens to get the starting nod. Wilson started 11 of the Bulldogs 12 games in 2024 - he missed the last one due to a foot injury - receiving 2nd Team All-SEC coaches honors for his efforts.
Wilson is a squat lineman with very good weight and solid athleticism. He is at his best when asked to work out in space where his quickness and agility allows him to mirror smaller players. He shows the burst to get his head across on reach blocks and climb to LBs at the 2nd level. Wilson has quick hands that typically get first contact and the grip strength to grapple with larger defenders. His movement skills translate well to pass protection where he gave up 0 sacks in 2024. Wilson has light feet that allow him to mirror rushers and the redirect ability to close gaps on loopers. He shows solid punch placement to disrupt rushers and will often get the first strike in. His weight and above average bend allow him to absorb contact to his chest and protect the pocket.
Despite Wilson’s excellent weight it does not translate to power. He struggles to drive defenders out of the hole on base and down blocks. He has a long first step which creates balance issues and far too many whiffed blocks. He will need to improve his footwork and play with a wider base to consistently sustain blocks at the next level. Wilson’s biggest issue is his overall lack of length. A shorter player with a below average wingspan he struggles to lock out and control defenders. Bigger defensive lineman are easily able to discard him and throw him out of their way. Wilson works to compensate this with aggressive strikes but it can become an issue in pass protection when he over extends and loses his balance. Bigger rushers are able to get first contact on Wilson and overwhelm him with their size and length. He lacks the lower body strength to hold his ground versus bull rushes when he cannot set up his wide base and use his natural leverage.
Wilson profiles best as a starter in a zone run scheme where movement skills make him an effective blocker on the move. Improvements in his hand and footwork will help him offset some of his physical deficiencies at the next level. At only 21 years old, Wilson profiles as a late Day-2/early Day-3 pick as a backup center with starter upside.