Chase Lundt, OT, Connecticut
Size:
Height: 6074
Weight: 304
Arm: 32 ⅝”
Hand: 9 ⅝”
Accomplishments:
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“A long and rangy lineman who shines in space, Chase Lundt has all the makings of a future NFL starter.”
Strengths:
Rangy athlete with great size/length
Takes great angles in the run game
High ceiling
Concerns:
Needs to add mass
Technically unrefined pass protector
Not a confident striker
Film Analysis:
Chase Lundt was a 2-star recruit coming out of Texas in the 2019 signing class. At Connecticut, Lundt quickly earned his stripes, becoming a mainstay starter at right tackle by his redshirt freshman season. Since arriving, he has logged 36 starts for the Huskies as he heads into his final season. Lundt even has a chance to be drafted higher than his former teammate, Christian Haynes, after the two were one of the most fun-to-watch duos in the country.
The story of Lundt as a football player is very similar to Haynes'. Lundt’s best qualities shine as a horizontal blocker, showcasing his athletic ability in space when working against second-level defenders. He is a wide-zone savant with a fantastic understanding of run-blocking angles and the importance of physicality at the point of attack. At 6-foot-7, it becomes apparent that Lundt is an NFL lineman when you watch him move.
While Lundt’s foundation undoubtedly meets the NFL's prototype, he will need time to add more mass and strength. In inside zone running schemes, Lundt lacks the brute power to displace opponents vertically and struggles to achieve consistent movement on double teams. Improving his footwork and learning how to leverage contact effectively will go a long way in addressing this issue, but the underlying problem lies in his lack of mass. Luckily, this is something that can be corrected quickly. We know that Lundt does not lack athleticism, making him a great candidate as a developmental lineman.
In the passing game, Lundt’s technique is underdeveloped. He lacks a proper stagger in his set, leading to a less effective anchor and resulting in weight distribution issues against wide rushers, particularly when he strikes off his outside foot. Another issue is his hand technique. I do not believe that Lundt is incapable of playing with length or timing his strikes effectively, rather, I see a lack of confidence in his abilities as a striker. This leads him to rely on hand fighting or to execute late, often inaccurate punches. He does not consistently miss with his hands and there are flashes in the film where he connects perfectly with defenders. However, the difference between a good game and a bad game for an offensive lineman can often stem from just one missed landmark in protection, which can lead to a sack.
As mentioned earlier, Lundt lacks nothing when it comes to the traits and physique of an NFL lineman. Adding weight and strength will go a long way in expediting the time it takes for him to become a consistent starter, but more importantly, I am eager to see him under the guidance of NFL coaching and development. Lundt best projects to offenses that lean on the horizontal running game, particularly wide zone, where Lundt can play to his strengths while continuing to develop his game holistically. I have no doubts that with time, Lundt can be a consistently effective starter in the NFL for a long time.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
