Connor Colby OG Iowa | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Connor Colby OG Iowa
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.15 seconds (81%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.10 DOB: 01/16/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.15 seconds (81%*) | |
| Age: 21.10 DOB: 01/16/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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66% |
| Run Blocking: |
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80% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#178
Position rank:
#31
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| College Games: 52 College Snaps: 2705 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zak Zinter - Michigan |
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84% |
| Justin Shaffer - Georgia |
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75% |
| Andrew Vorhees - USC |
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69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Connor Colby, a three-year starter on the Iowa Hawkeyes offensive line, has amassed an impressive 40 games of experience at both guard spots and right tackle. The Cedar Rapids native emerged as a standout at Kennedy High School, earning a four-star rating from major recruiting services. Colby's college career began with a bang, starting 11 games at right guard as a true freshman and earning Freshman All-America honors from the FWAA and Maxwell Football Club.In his sophomore campaign, Colby displayed his versatility by starting six games at right tackle before shifting to left guard for the final seven contests. His junior season saw him solidify his position at right guard, where he started all 13 games and played in all 14. Colby's performance earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media, highlighting his development into a reliable force on the Hawkeyes' offensive front.
Throughout his college career, Colby has been a key contributor to Iowa's ground game. In 2023, he helped pave the way for 254 rushing yards against Western Michigan, the team's highest total since 2019. He also played a crucial role in the Hawkeyes' 200-yard rushing performance against Wisconsin, their best showing against the Badgers since 2008. These performances underscore Colby's impact as a run blocker and his ability to create opportunities for his team's ground attack.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional experience with 40 games played, including starts at multiple positions along the offensive line
- Demonstrates proficiency in zone blocking schemes, effectively washing defenders down the line of scrimmage
- Displays quick feet and agility to reach blocks on defenders further down the line in zone runs
- Excels at double-team blocks, creating initial surge before climbing to the second level
- Shows good football IQ, understanding when to engage defenders directly or create double-teams
- Maintains proper hand carriage in pass protection, keeping hands at chest level ready to engage
- Exhibits adequate anchoring ability once hands are latched onto defenders in pass protection
- Handles twists and stunts well, displaying solid coordination with linemates in pass protection
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Struggles to generate consistent vertical push in gap/power run schemes, limiting scheme versatility
- Tends to overreach and lunge when engaging defenders, compromising balance and leverage
- Prone to waist-bending, which negatively impacts ability to sustain blocks and maintain leverage
- Can be displaced by quick, powerful defenders who exploit his lunging tendency at the point of attack
- Lateral agility is merely functional, leading to potential issues when asked to pull or recover in space
Scouting Report: Summary
Connor Colby's lateral agility and proficiency in zone blocking schemes position him well for NFL offenses prioritizing movement and coordination. His experience across multiple offensive line positions adds valuable versatility, though his effectiveness may be limited in power-based rushing attacks. In pass protection, Colby demonstrates potential but needs refinement in his technique against more explosive NFL-caliber defenders.At the next level, Colby's impact will likely be most significant in the run game, particularly in outside zone concepts where his ability to reach block and climb to the second level can be fully utilized. His performance in double-teams and understanding of blocking angles should translate well to the professional ranks. However, he may face a learning curve in adjusting to the speed and power of NFL interior defenders in pass protection.
Teams employing zone-heavy schemes will likely view Colby as a Day 2 prospect with starter potential at guard. His development will hinge on landing with a team that can maximize his strengths in lateral movement while providing coaching to address his technical shortcomings. Colby's NFL success will ultimately depend on his ability to refine his leverage and sustain blocks against higher-caliber competition.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Connor Colby percentiles vs other Offensive Guards (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Connor Colby (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
147.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
31.0
*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.