Sam Hecht

NFL Draft Profile: Sam Hecht

Position: Center (OC) | School: Kansas State | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'4" | Weight: 300 lbs | Archetype: Run Blocker (Zone Specialist)

College Career Summary

Sam Hecht embodies the "blue-collar" developmental path that Kansas State is famous for. After arriving in Manhattan as a walk-on, Hecht transformed his frame and technique to become a fixture on the Wildcats' interior. He officially took over the starting Center role in 2024, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors while facilitating a run game that broke multiple school records for yards per play.

In the 2025 season, Hecht solidified himself as one of the most reliable technicians in the country. He served as the brain of the offensive line, making all protection calls for a unit that allowed one of the lowest sack totals in the Big 12. His 2025 tape shows a player who has mastered the "leverage game," using a low center of gravity to move massive nose tackles. While he lacks the "mauler" size of some SEC counterparts, his discipline (only two penalties in over 1,500 career snaps) makes him a "coach’s favorite" at the next level.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 26 (13 in 2024, 13 in 2025)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 0

• Career Pressures Allowed: <15

• Pancakes: ~45 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 0 (2025)

• Honors: 2025 Shrine Bowl Invitation; 2024 Second-Team All-Big 12; 2x Academic All-Big 12.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs UT Martin	A-	Clinical execution; handled the snap-to-block transition perfectly.
2	@ Tulane	B+	Faced a twitchy interior; mirrored well but gave up 1 hurry.
3	vs Arizona	A	The Apex. Completely neutralized the NT; opened huge lanes for DJ Giddens.
4	@ BYU	B-	Worst Game. Struggled with the crowd noise and 1 late stunt pickup.
6	vs Oklahoma St	B+	Stout anchor; stood his ground against a heavy bull-rush.
7	@ Colorado	A-	Excellent reach blocking; showed high-level speed on pulls.
8	@ West Virginia	B	Standard grit game; effectively doubled-teamed to the second level.
9	vs Kansas	A	Flawless rivalry game; controlled the interior for 4 quarters.
10	@ Houston	B+	High-IQ game; identified three late blitzes that saved sacks.
12	vs Arizona St	A-	Dominant in the run game; 4 pancake blocks on "Duo" looks.
13	@ Cincinnati	B	Tough physical battle; held his own but pad level rose late.
14	vs Iowa State	B+	Battle of the trenches; clean sheet in pass protection.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Leadership: Elite. Team captain and the vocal "QB" of the offensive line.

• Mental Toughness: High; rose from walk-on to All-Conference starter.

• Competitor: Elite; plays with a "chip on his shoulder" every snap.

• Team Player: Selfless; frequently seen coaching younger players on the sideline.

• Star: Moderate; the quiet engine that makes the K-State offense go.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 78/100

• Height/Weight: 6'4", 300 lbs. (Failed 6'5 benchmark; Below 315lb weight).

• Stamina: High; maintains technical integrity through 70+ snaps.

• Durability: Plus; started every game over the last two seasons.

• Injury History: Medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Run Block: Strength. Elite at finding angles and sealing defenders.

• Pass Block: Plus; very rare to see him give up a sack (0 in 2025).

• Strength: Moderate; functional strength is good, but lacks elite "uprooting" power.

• Technique: Elite. Mastery of hand placement and foot-fire.

• High Motor: Constant; never stops until the whistle blows.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 84/100

• Speed: Plus; very effective in the open field on screens and pulls.

• Agility: Plus; great lateral "mirror" ability in pass pro.

• Flexibility: High; natural "knee-bender" with very loose hips.

• Acceleration: Good; explosive out of his stance into contact.

• Footwork: Clinical; very clean, efficient steps.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Awareness: Elite. Arguably the highest football IQ of any center in the 2026 class.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: Elite processing speed and pre-snap awareness; technically flawless in pass protection; exceptional at reach blocks in zone schemes; high-character leader with a "no-maintenance" profile.

• Weaknesses: Frame Limitations. Lacks the mass to anchor against 340-lb NFL "nose shades"; can be overwhelmed by pure power/bull-rushers at the next level; length is average, which can lead to him losing the "first contact" battle.

• Scheme Fit: Strictly a Zone-Blocking System (e.g., Rams, 49ers, Dolphins) where his mobility is a weapon.

• NFL Comparison: David Andrews / Corey Linsley.

Scout's Final Word

"Sam Hecht is a 'scheme-specific' gem. If you ask him to play in a heavy gap/power system, he might struggle with the sheer mass of NFL defensive tackles. But in a move-based zone scheme, he is a 10-year starter. He is the smartest player on the field, and his zero-sack production against Big 12 competition is no fluke. Draft Projection: 2nd - 4th Round."