Marshall offensive tackle Ethan Driskell is a big-bodied prospect with rare size and measurables. Driskell, who attended both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, clocked in at 6-foot-8 and 312 pounds with arms longer than 35 inches and an 83-inch wingspan. Those moldable traits will appeal to NFL general managers.
Driskell recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his experience in Mobile, which teams are showing interest in his services, his favorite play to run in the playbook, and more.
JM: You competed at this year's Senior Bowl. What do you think you proved to NFL GMs and scouts in attendance?
Ethan Driskell: I think I had a pretty good Senior Bowl week. You’re obviously competing against the best of the best in Mobile. You’re going to win and lose some reps. For the most part, I’m confident I proved that I could adjust to that level of competition. I showed that I could play with the best of the best. Whatever organization gives me that chance will continue to get my best efforts.
JM: You won the weigh-in process as well, clocking in at 6-8, 312 pounds with 35 ⅛” arms. You also have 10 ⅜” hands and an 83 ⅛” wingspan. How do you use these physical traits to your advantage?
Ethan Driskell: Being 6-foot-8 or 6-foot-10, whatever you want to call it, it could be a benefit or a negative. Using length is always something that I’ve been pretty good at, especially throughout my time at Marshall. Length helps me keep defenders off me.
I don’t allow defenders to get into my chest. That’s how I use length to my advantage. My size is overall more of a benefit to me than it is a hindrance. I have to play with great bend and pad level to offset my size. I think I’ve adjusted well over these last few seasons. I’m ready for the challenge.
JM: You would have met with every team in attendance. That's the way the Senior Bowl is set up. Did you get a particularly great vibe from any teams in general?
Ethan Driskell: One that really stood out in particular was the Tennessee Titans. I think I interviewed with them three times. I interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles as well. Meeting all 32 teams was a great benefit to the players in attendance. I had great conversations with some of those teams, the Bengals included. I really enjoyed my time in Mobile. I received great feedback.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. Do you feel you're more advanced in pass protection, or as a run blocker at this point in time?
Ethan Driskell: I would say I’m well-balanced in both areas. We had a really good running back in Rasheen Ali last season. He made my job easier. I was able to create some holes for him to hit and he’d break them off for 60 yards. Sometimes I’d create movement on the down linemen in the short-yardage game. We helped him plow his head through and get those extra yards.
I’ve also gone up against some of the best pass rushers in college football. I’ve played against Isaiah Foskey, who is now with the New Orleans Saints. We played against Notre Dame last season. I’ve played against Payton Wilson and NC State. They had a bunch of solid defensive linemen. Virginia Tech had two really good defensive ends. I’ve played against Nick Hampton from App State. I believe he’s with the Chargers now.
I’ve always been exposed to talent. I played against DeAngelo Malone when he was at Western Kentucky. He was a third-round pick. That’s just a handful of numerous pass rushers I’ve played against. They’re all playing at the next level. I played against first-round talents at the Senior Bowl as well. I had a pretty good showing against some of them. I’ll be able to adjust to the competition and show what a small-school guy could do.
JM: Does Ethan Driskell have a favorite pass set?
Ethan Driskell: I just like to get my hands on guys and get after them early. I don’t allow pass rushers to get into their counter moves. That’s my goal. If I have a tight defender, I’m going to utilize my length. I’ll get my base established and get my hands on you. I try to take control of the rep early on.
I play with more physicality than patience. I want to latch on early and allow our quarterback to set himself up without having to worry about his left side.
JM: You talked about having a great run game. What's your favorite play to run in the playbook and why?
Ethan Driskell: I’m a big downhill run type of guy. I love those inside zone and duo runs. I like the power/gap scheme as well. I’d probably say those plays stick out to me. I also like getting out on the edge a little bit and lead-blocking for my guy.
Having a guy like Rasheen Ali in the backfield made everything easier. He’s going to be a blessing for any organization. He always made my job a lot easier. I like to tell myself hopefully I did that for him as well.
JM: I think he would say the same. We've appreciated your time today. What's a team getting when they draft Ethan Driskell?
Ethan Driskell: They’re going to get a guy that wants to help bring a Super Bowl to the organization. I want to be a player that 15 years down the line, that team is happy they drafted me.
I want to be highly thought of, sort of how Jason Kelce is. He went to Philadelphia as an underrated guy. Look at the name he’s made for himself. He’s one of the greatest centers of all time, if not the greatest. He came out of Cincinnati. They have the same stigma as Marshall. Kelce was a smaller school guy that took advantage of his opportunity.
