Max Iheanachor

NFL Draft Profile: Max Iheanachor

Position: Offensive Tackle | School: Arizona State | Class: Senior

Height: 6'6" | Weight: 330 lbs | Archetype: Balanced (Zone / Gap Specialist)

College Career Summary

Max Iheanachor’s journey is one of the most remarkable stories in college football. A basketball and soccer player who didn't play a single snap of high school football, he enrolled at East Los Angeles College (JUCO) in 2021 just to try the sport. By 2023, he was the #7 overall JUCO prospect and committed to Arizona State.

After showing flashes as a rotational piece in 2023, he became a permanent fixture at Right Tackle in 2024 and 2025. His 2025 season was a landmark campaign where he anchored an offensive line that protected Heisman candidate Sam Leavitt and paved the way for Cam Skattebo’s historic rushing year. Earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors, Iheanachor transformed from a "raw athlete" into a technically sound, "NFL-ready" behemoth.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 32 (5 in '23, 14 in '24, 13 in '25)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 0 (Regular Season)

• Pancakes: ~45 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 0 (Last 2 seasons as a starter)

• 2025 Honors: Second-Team All-Big 12

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Northern Arizona	A	Absolute physical dominance; looked like a man amongst boys.
2	@ Mississippi St	B+	Handled SEC power well; high marks for stamina in humid conditions.
4	@ Baylor	A-	Excellent recovery on a missed step; kept the pocket clean.
5	vs TCU	A	The Wall. Zero pressures allowed against a high-blitz scheme.
7	@ Utah	C+	Worst Game. Struggled with the Utes' crowd noise and late snap timing.
8	vs Texas Tech	A-	Massive run lanes; erased linebackers at the second level.
10	@ Iowa State	B+	Gritty road performance; played all 70+ snaps without drop-off.
12	@ Colorado	A+	The Apex. Total erasure of elite EDGE speed; multiple pancakes.
13	vs Arizona	A-	Emotional "Territorial Cup" win; physically overwhelmed his rival.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Leadership: High; became the vocal leader of the "Big 12 Champion" offensive line.

• Mental Toughness: Elite. Learned the game from scratch in 4 years and thrived.

• Competitor: Fierce; "Basketball-to-Football" translate often brings elite agility and drive.

• Team Player: Credits his JUCO coaches and ASU staff for his rapid development.

• Star Power: High; scouts are enamored with his "late bloomer" trajectory.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Height/Weight: 6'6", 330 lbs. (Exceeds all physical benchmarks).

• Stamina: High; despite his 330 lb frame, he played 95% of snaps in 2025.

• Durability: Elite. No significant time missed since arriving at ASU.

• Injury History: Medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Run Block: Plus; natural bend and posture allow him to win at the point of attack.

• Pass Block: Strength. Allowed zero sacks in the 2025 regular season.

• Strength: Plus; natural raw power that he is still learning to weaponize fully.

• Technique: Improved; hand-fighting and snap timing were his 2025 priorities.

• High Motor: Consistent; always looking for secondary work on screens and pulls.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Speed: Surprising; his soccer background gives him elite range in space.

• Agility: Elite. "Dancing bear" feet that mirror cross-body moves with ease.

• Flexibility: High; natural elasticity that allows him to "sit down" on power.

• Acceleration: Sudden; excellent burst on reach blocks and pulls.

• Footwork: Clinical; extremely light on his feet for a 330-pounder.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Awareness: Solid; occasionally a half-step late on the count, but recovery is elite.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: Historic "late bloomer" development; 330-pound frame with elite movement skills; massive reach and length to dictate contact; zero sacks allowed in 2025; exceptionally high ceiling.

• Weaknesses: Still adjusting to the "speed of the game" (timing the snap count); can be a bit too aggressive/lunge on run blocks; limited football experience (5 years total).

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Zone-Heavy or Modern West Coast system (e.g., Packers, Vikings, Rams).

• NFL Comparison: Darnell Wright / Jordan Mailata.

Scout's Final Word

"Max Iheanachor is the 'Jordan Mailata' of the 2026 class. He is a freakish athlete who is just now discovering how strong he actually is. His 2025 tape showed that he is no longer just a 'project'—he is a winning starter in a Power 4 conference. Teams will draft him in the first round because of the potential for him to become an All-Pro once he gets 10,000 reps under his belt. Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid)."