Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jonah Savaiinaea OT Arizona | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jonah Savaiinaea OT Arizona
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/04/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (95%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |
| Last Updated: 03/04/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (95%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 86.3 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
86% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
64% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#45
Position rank:
#10
|
||
| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 2418 | ||
ESPN RATING: 75/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 89/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kingsley Suamataia - BYU |
|
89% |
| Troy Fautanu - Washington |
|
89% |
| Roger Rosengarten - Washington |
|
85% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A mountain of a man with island roots, Jonah Savaiinaea emerged from the shadows of St. Louis High School in Honolulu to become a cornerstone of Arizona's offensive renaissance. The three-star recruit arrived in Tucson with little fanfare but immediately claimed the starting right tackle spot as a true freshman in 2022, earning FWAA Freshman All-American honors. Standing 6'5" and tipping the scales at a massive 336 pounds, Savaiinaea's frame commands attention the moment he steps on the field.His trajectory mirrors Arizona's program transformation, as he started all 36 games of his collegiate career while helping orchestrate one of college football's most remarkable turnarounds. The 2023 campaign marked his finest hour, as he anchored an offensive line that powered the nation's 8th-ranked passing attack (308.3 yards per game) and paved the way for a historic 10-win season, capped by an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma. His consistent excellence earned him All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention nods in both 2022 and 2023, followed by All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition in 2024.
Through three seasons in the desert, Savaiinaea demonstrated remarkable durability and adaptability, logging over 2,400 snaps while seamlessly transitioning between conference affiliations. His final season saw him post an impressive 82.7 pass-blocking grade while allowing just four sacks across 738 snaps, showcasing the kind of pass protection stability that NFL teams covet.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Massive frame with rare thickness through his core and limbs creates an imposing presence that smaller defenders struggle to navigate around or through
- Shows impressive patience and timing with his punch, delivering jolting strikes that consistently snap defenders' heads back and halt momentum
- Demonstrates natural power to create movement on down blocks, particularly effective when working in tandem on double teams to clear rushing lanes
- Exceptional spatial awareness when uncovered, consistently identifying and picking up stunts while maintaining gap integrity
- Devastating snatch-trap technique neutralizes long-arm rushers, displaying advanced hand-fighting skills that translate well to the next level
- Flashes good initial quickness out of his stance for his size, allowing him to reach his spot in pass protection before defenders can exploit his edges
- Three years of starting experience against high-level competition has refined his understanding of angles and leverage in pass protection
- Shows surprising accuracy targeting second-level defenders when asked to climb, rarely whiffing on linebacker blocks in space
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Athletic limitations become apparent against speed rushers, forcing him to open his hips early and creating vulnerability to inside counter moves
- Struggles to maintain consistent pad level in the run game, often rising up on contact and sacrificing leverage against more explosive defenders
- Displays concerning anchor issues against bull rushers, getting walked back into the pocket more frequently than his size would suggest
- Limited lateral agility affects his ability to recover when beaten, leaving him susceptible to secondary rush moves in extended passing situations
- Tendency to drift in his pass sets creates soft spots in protection, particularly problematic against crafty edge defenders who can exploit poor positioning
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape shows a player whose future in the NFL lies inside at guard, where his massive frame and power-based skill set can be maximized while minimizing his athletic limitations. Savaiinaea's experience at tackle provides valuable versatility, but his combination of size, power, and technical refinement projects him as a potential day-one starter at right guard in a gap-heavy run scheme.His proficiency in pass protection will translate well to the interior, where his patient hands and natural anchor will shine against defensive tackles. While he needs technical refinement in the run game, particularly with pad level and leverage, his raw power and understanding of angles suggest significant upside as he transitions inside. Smart money has him landing with a team that emphasizes downhill running and values offensive line versatility, potentially stepping in as a starter by mid-season of his rookie year.
Given his frame, technical foundation, and three years of high-level starting experience, Savaiinaea profiles as a solid day-two selection who could outperform his draft position. His ceiling might be capped by athletic limitations, but his floor as a reliable interior starter makes him a valuable investment for teams looking to solidify their offensive line.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
Jonah Savaiinaea percentiles vs other Offensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jonah Savaiinaea (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
54.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.