Named to the Under Armour All-American team as a senior at Bishop O’Dowd High School in his native Oakland, Alijah Vera-Tucker arrived in Southern Cal (who he chose over offers from Oregon, Cal-Berkeley, Washington and USC’s cross-town rival, UCLA) with much fanfare, but didn’t see much playing time until his red-shirt sophomore season in 2019, when the former four-star recruit settled in as the Trojans’ starting left guard. Vera-Tucker flourished in that role (second team all-conference) before transitioning to his preferred left tackle, succeeding Dolphins first-rounder Austin Jackson on Kedon Slovis’ blind side the following year. Vera-Tucker initially opted out of last season but reversed course when the Pac-12 decided to stage an abbreviated 2020 campaign, a 180 from the conference’s previous stance on playing amid the COVID pandemic.
Measurables: 6’4”/308
School: USC
Accolades: Morris Trophy (2020), First team All-Pac-12 (2020), Second team All-Pac 12 (2019)
Strengths: The biggest thing Vera-Tucker has going for him is his versatility, boasting extensive experience at both guard and tackle. That flexibility should serve him well in the NFL. Vera-Tucker acclimated nicely to playing outside, benefiting from sound technique and above-average lateral quickness for a player tipping the scales at over 300 pounds. A heady pass-protector with impressive balance for his position, Vera-Tucker offers a mauler’s mentality, torpedoing his way to the second level with brute force, using his elite upper-body strength to fend off any and all threats. A vocal player who can stop on a dime, Vera-Tucker changes direction well and is also a strong communicator, effectively relaying information to his teammates on the offensive line.
Weaknesses: Vera-Tucker will be caught flat-footed at times, suffering occasional bouts of indecisiveness. The 21-year-old is pushing to play tackle in the pros, though most scouts would agree he’s better suited on the interior. Critics have cited Vera-Tucker’s inconsistent hand placement as an area in need of refinement while also flagging his arm length, measuring in only the third percentile at his position (32 1/8”), as another potential shortcoming, particularly if the team he’s drafted by plans on employing him at tackle rather than guard.
NFL comparison: Joe Thuney
Like Thuney (whose measurables are near-identical to AVT’s), Vera-Tucker is a versatile, high-IQ player capable of playing anywhere on the O line.
What experts are saying
“He’s a nasty player. He plays with a violent streak. I think he’s going to be one of those guys you plug and play for the next decade.” – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“Athletically, there’s nothing he can’t do. He’s got a phenomenal body … The big question is whether he can play left tackle in the NFL.” – Chris Simms, NBC Sports
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