Shrine Game Prospect Recap: Olisaemeka Udoh

If there’s one area of focus for new head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Jason Licht on offense this off-season, it’s improving the offensive line. There was some talent at this years Shrine Game and per the usual, some small school talent at that. Last years Shrine Game produced a familiar face for Buccaneer fans in Justin Watson who shined at least years week of practice and game enough to warrant an invite to the Senior Bowl and eventual drafting by the Buccaneers. This time around it’s another small school player who shined his way into a Senior Bowl invite as Olisaemeka Udoh had himself a productive week. We’ll take a quick look at the big offensive lineman who showcased his versatility in practice and during the game.

Olisaemeka Udoh measured out to 6’5” and 328 lbs with 35 3/4” arm length. Udoh showed solid movement skills for a man his size and displayed plenty of power for the position during the drills. The Draft Network’s Joe Marino posted the clip below of Udoh in one on one’s and had a small snippet in his write up here on what his thoughts are on Udoh.

Udoh saw action in the East West Shrine Game at both right tackle and right guard. Udoh displayed good awareness and mirror skills in the game as part of a group that struggled to protect for the East Quarterbacks in this game as a whole. Below you will see Udoh put his awareness on display as he maintains his position inside at guard and provides help to the right tackle as the defender proceeds to beat his man.

The Buccaneers could certainly use some mold-able talent along the offensive line and Udoh provides exactly that, a player to be molded and given Bruce Arians affinity for providing a proving ground for young players in practice, Tampa Bay and Udoh are a very compatible match in this upcoming draft. The East staff gave Udoh the opportunity to display his versatility with in game action at guard (as shown above) and tackle, shown below. At tackle, Udoh showed the ability to absorb contact and move laterally and maintain his hand positioning to control the defender. Below you will see Udoh do exactly this.

For a team like Tampa Bay that wants to win now and a coach in Bruce Arians that doesn’t believe in rebuilding... but instead reloading, a player like Olisaemeka Udoh can provide big upside in the long run as a low cost investment in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. With another big week and game ahead of him at the Senior Bowl, it will be interesting to see how Udoh handles another level of competition after making a name for himself at the Shrine Game.