Zach Rice C North Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Zach Rice C North Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Right Guard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.00 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.2 DOB: 10/21/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Right Guard | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.00 seconds (93%*) | |
| Age: 20.2 DOB: 10/21/2004 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 80.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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72% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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79% |
| Run Blocking: |
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65% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#268
Position rank:
#56
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| College Games: 7 College Snaps: 44 | ||
ESPN RATING: 92/100
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tanor Bortolini - Wisconsin |
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94% |
| Charles Turner III - LSU |
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86% |
| Cameron Jurgens - Nebraska |
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80% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Zach Rice, an offensive guard from the University of North Carolina, entered college football as a highly touted five-star recruit. Ranked as the top offensive tackle and player in Virginia by multiple recruiting services, Rice garnered national attention, including invitations to prestigious all-star games like the Under Armour All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl.At Liberty Christian Academy, Rice's dominance was evident. He anchored the offensive line for four years, leading his team to a state championship appearance in his senior season. His high school accolades include being named Virginia's Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps Virginia Player of the Year. Rice's senior year was particularly impressive, as he tallied an astounding 219 pancake blocks and didn't allow a single sack in his final two seasons.
Rice's college career at UNC has been a gradual progression. After redshirting his true freshman year in 2022, where he appeared in two games for a total of 16 snaps at right guard, he saw increased playing time in his redshirt freshman season in 2023. He appeared in 12 games, primarily on special teams, while also providing depth along the offensive line.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Prototype size and length for the position with a frame that can easily add functional mass.
- Rare movement skills for a big man, displaying excellent foot quickness and lateral agility.
- Shows good anchor ability in pass pro, maintaining a solid base against power rushers.
- High football IQ with the ability to recognize and pick up stunts and blitzes effectively.
- Positional versatility to kick out to tackle in a pinch, enhancing his value as a swing lineman.
- Blue-chip pedigree with a family tree rooted in high-level football, suggesting natural feel for the game.
- Natural leader who commanded respect in high school, indicating potential to be a locker room presence.
- Raw talent with sky-high ceiling, barely scratching the surface of his potential.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Extremely limited game tape at the collegiate level, leaving many questions about his true capabilities.
- Lacks pop and drive in the run game, often failing to generate consistent movement at the point of attack.
- Still adapting to inside techniques after transitioning from high school tackle to college guard.
- Minimal experience against high-level competition, raising concerns about his ability to handle NFL-caliber defenders.
- Draft stock heavily reliant on projection rather than proven on-field production.
Scouting Report: Summary
Rice's journey from five-star recruit to NFL prospect is far from complete. His lack of significant playing time at North Carolina is a glaring red flag that cannot be ignored. The 2024 season looms as a make-or-break year for Rice's draft aspirations. If he can secure a starting role and translate his immense potential into on-field production, he could rapidly climb draft boards.NFL teams will be closely monitoring Rice's development throughout the upcoming season. His elite athleticism and pass-protection instincts offer tantalizing upside, but his current lack of experience makes him a high-risk, high-reward prospect. Scouts will be looking for improved play strength, particularly in the run game, and consistent performance against top-tier ACC competition.
The decision to declare for the draft will hinge on Rice's 2024 campaign. Without a significant uptick in playing time and demonstrable improvement, Rice may be better served returning to school to further refine his craft. His draft stock currently rests more on his recruiting hype than his college resume, making his upcoming season crucial in determining his NFL future.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Zach Rice (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
278.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
60.0
*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.