Player comparison

Xavier Chaplin

Dean Kindig

Wrestler in HS, Two-year starter for USC who played RT and RG for them. Then RT at Auburn, has now been bumped over to LT. Film Study generating significant early draft buzz. Transferred to Auburn after starting for Virginia Tech the last two years. He was an All-American in 2023 and an honorable mention All-ACC selection last season. One scouting source even compared him to 2024 Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick Tyler Guyton, who was a starter as a rookie for the Cowboys last year. "He's got ideal frame, size and length and he moves very balanced," the scouting source said. Another scout isn't as high: "Love the frame and definitely uses his length vs. Speed rushers and as an edge setter in the run game but thought he was a waist bender too often and his awareness for stunts and blitzes needs to improve," a scout said. "Has the tools to be a mid-round pick but still raw to me." Iron City Film adds, "Great athlete in a 6'7 340 frame with absurd length, NASTY snatch trap, extremely powerful run blocker, jarring 2-hand punch" and says he's "my early OT2 for the 2026 draft class"

Carter Smith

Dean Kindig

Best pass blocking grade after not allowing any Iowa pressures in scouted win. Trusting the Process started playing tackle in third grade, and joined a travel squad in middle school. Some balance and lean issues Kromer can fix. Favorite song is from Footloose: Holding Out For a Hero by Bonnie Tyler. Sparks: "one of the most reliable trench players in the class, even with some length questions that will need answering.".