Deacon Schmitt

Physical Profile

Possesses an elite frame for an interior offensive lineman at a legitimate 6-foot-5 and 315-320 pounds. Carries his weight exceptionally well on a thick, well-built base that allows him to anchor and generate power. While he has played tackle in high school and possesses the requisite length and footwork for the position, his build and mauling play style suggest his highest upside is at guard, where his power can be fully maximized at the collegiate level.

Play Style

Schmitt is an aggressive and intelligent lineman who plays with a noticeable edge. In the run game, he is a natural drive blocker who gets out of his stance quickly, churns his feet on contact, and uses his strength to overwhelm opponents. He demonstrates the ability to get to the second level effectively. In pass protection, he relies on a wide base, good balance, and length to create a firm pocket, showing a sophisticated feel for the position.

Strengths

• Point-of-attack physicality and finishing mentality; consistently drives defenders off the ball and plays through the whistle, often burying opponents.
• Advanced technique and balance; plays with a wide base, bends his knees well, and understands hand placement, which allows him to control defenders in both run and pass protection.
• Positional versatility; has the feet and length to be a capable right tackle but the frame and power to be a dominant guard, offering valuable flexibility to an offensive line room.

Areas to Improve

• Lateral agility in space when facing elite speed; while athletic enough for his position, continued refinement of his kick-slide and second-level blocking angles will be crucial against SEC-caliber edge rushers and linebackers.
• Pad level consistency; his natural height advantage can sometimes lead to him playing too upright, which can be exploited by lower, quicker defensive tackles. Maintaining a consistent low base will be key to his dominance.

College Projection

Expected to be a multi-year, high-impact starter at Oklahoma. Given his physical readiness and advanced technique, he could potentially work his way into the two-deep as a redshirt freshman. His ultimate role will likely be at guard, where he can be a road-grader in the run game for the Sooners' SEC tenure, though he provides quality depth at tackle. He chose Oklahoma in part because of his belief that it is 'O-line U' and his strong relationship with line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

NFL Outlook

As a consensus 4-star prospect with a 0.9093 composite rating and a prototypical frame for an NFL interior lineman, Schmitt has a clear path to the NFL. His strength, versatility, and technically-sound game give him a high floor. With continued development under a top-tier college coaching staff, he projects as a potential Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) NFL Draft selection with the upside to become a long-term starter at the professional level.

Best Fit

His skill set is maximized in a balanced, pro-style offensive scheme that emphasizes a physical running game. His commitment to Oklahoma is an ideal fit, as Bill Bedenbaugh's system consistently produces NFL-caliber linemen who are technically sound, powerful, and versatile.