Ikem Ekwonu of NC State football is rising up draft lists

If you wondered if perhaps the draft hype surrounding NC State football offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu was overblown, Wednesday offered evidence that it was not.

The Athletic’s Dane Buglar updated his top 50 prospects for April’s NFL Draft and has Ekwonu ranked the No. 5 overall prospect in the entire country, up from No. 32 in August.

Buglar wrote:

“No, this isn’t too high for a player with Ekwonu’s explosive power. We knew he was an outstanding run blocker, but I have been blown away by his improvements in pass protection this season (see the Mississippi State tape). With his nimble feet and balanced movements, Ekwonu has not only boosted his draft stock, but he has also proven that he can play tackle and won’t have to move inside. No offensive lineman in this draft class has more upside than ‘Ickey.’”

Maybe the most violent snatch-and-finish I’ve seen from a college blocker.

LT Ikem Ekwonu has some truly special abilities. One of the best players in the draft! pic.twitter.com/0LPGQVJx9p

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 8, 2021

Ekwonu was the lone NC State player in Buglar’s updated top 50.

Meanwhile, famed ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Ekwonu at No. 17 in his updated draft board that was also published Wednesday.

“Ekwonu bullies pass-rushers,” Kiper wrote. “He toys with them. He has played both guard and tackle in his career, but he has excelled at left tackle, allowing only four pressures on 311 pass-blocking snaps this season. He moves his feet well in the run game and can get to the next level. My only question is his arm length and whether he might move inside to guard at the next level. He can be a really good player at either position, but I could see teams preferring him inside.”

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