Florida State signee analysis: Bryson Estes

Florida State got a much-needed offensive line commitment when Bryson Estes announced for the Seminoles Tuesday morning. Estes is ranked as a 3-star center, but as you’ll see below, he has potential to play several positions on the offensive line.

In Tomahawk Nation’s interior offensive lineman recruiting article, CoachAB, NoleThruandThru, and TimScribble provided a brief glimpse into Estes’ game:

Estes currently plays guard and right tackle, although in his interview with Tomahawk Nation, he said FSU is specifically looking at him as a center. Estes is a strong run blocker, getting his hands in the proper position on most blocks. He understands the need to keep his hands inside the defender’s shoulder pads to help control his opponent. He drives with his legs and doesn’t rely only on his upper body strength.

In this article, we’ll break down what the Florida State Seminoles can expect from their newest commit.

First, let’s hear from TN’s resident OL guru Rob Hodges:

- Get 16 guys on your OL roster like this, and you’ll make any offense look top-notch.

- Has the frame to add a healthy 20 pounds easily.

- Has the ability to play tackle at the next level. You worry about him being outmatched early in his career by pass-rushing specialists, but that’s not a knock so much on him as it is on the disparity in athleticism between edge rushers and EOL blockers.

Scouting Report

1. Plays within his box

Anyone will tell you aggression is an important trait in a football player. I see that in Estes, but he also controls himself. Some linemen overextend themselves in reaching a block, but good coaches will refine that by teaching a guy how to get back over top his base quickly. You do this by getting to your guy and setting your feet (allowing the upper body to follow and provide the correct blocking angle).

This occurs while staying within the framework of your body. When an offensive linemen over extends, his base gets too wide, or he reaches and ends up getting beat, but Estes has shown the ability to work well within his box. This is also an important trait in pass protection. Controlled aggression is something you love in offensive linemen:

2. Low to high blocking

Good bend through his ankles and knees? Check. Flat back at contact? Check. Elbows in and heavy-handed? Check. There’s no way around it: Estes has good fundamentals for a rising senior. You want to see your offensive linemen work low to high, developing power through their legs up through the glutes/hips and finishing with a strong punch:

3. Movement skills

Mike Norvell’s offense requires athleticism for his linemen. Every position will pull throughout the season, so you better be able to skip pull, open your hips and run, or cross block. Estes is a little heavy footed (what 300 pounder isn’t?), but he does a nice job sinking his hips before contact in the open field. Estes is able to change lanes when pulling on counters and can handle little guys in space. The last thing Estes does right is take good angles on wide zone plays: