2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Michigan C Drake Nugent

From now until the 2024 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I’ll be profiling Michigan C Drake Nugent.

#60 DRAKE NUGENT/OC MICHIGAN – 6’2, 301 LBS. (R-SENIOR)

MEASUREMENTS

THE GOOD

– Dense frame all throughout
– Very good anchor, holds up well against bull rush
– Good play strength, creates displacement at the line of scrimmage
– Solid competitive toughness, plays through the whistle
– Excels in big-on-big situations in the phone booth
– Solid understanding of angles and leverage
– Great latch strength
– Reach blocks better than his athletic ability suggests

THE BAD

– Lacking overall length
– Limited athletic ability
– Sells out on blocks and gets his body weight and center of gravity too far out in front of him
– Feet get too close together when drive blocking, opening up opportunities for DL to shed
– Ends up on the ground too often while blocking in traffic
– Plays a little tall while moving forward, bends at waist instead of knees

BIO

– Originally a three-star prospect out of Highlands Ranch HS in Lone Tree, Colorado
– Played his first four seasons at Stanford before transferring to Michigan
– 39 total starts across five seasons
– Team captain in his final season at Stanford
– 2023 Rimington Trophy Finalist
– 2023 First-team All-Big Ten (coaches, media)
– Academic All-Pac-12 honoree
– Missed most of senior season of high school with an undisclosed injury
– Son of former Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts QB Terry Nugent
– Played exclusively at center
– National champion in 2023

TAPE BREAKDOWN

Nugent is a throwback, physical center with plenty of power in his upper and lower half to stalemate the biggest of defensive tackles.