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Taliese Fuaga Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
- Massive size with height and weight
- Natural strength
- Very powerful
- Heavy hands
- Overwhelms in the ground game
- Can be a road grader who drive blocks defenders off the ball
- Overpowers defensive linemen
- Finishes blocks well
- Violent blocker
- Nastiness
- Plays with a mean streak
- Quick to the second level
- Anchors against bull rushes
- Gets out of stance with speed
- Physical
- Fighter; physical demeanor
- Sustains blocks
- Blocks through the whistle
Weaknesses:
- Short arms – 33.38 inches
- Some teams see him as guard only
- Could have issues with speed rushers at right tackle
- Could have issues with long edge rushers at right tackle
- Heavy feet at times
- Not a fit to play left tackle
Prospect Summary:
Fuaga saw some playing time as a backup during his redshirt freshman season in 2021 before breaking into the starting lineup in 2022. Over the next two seasons, Fuaga started at right tackle for the Beavers. He was one of the most violent blockers in college football over that span.
In pass protection, Fuaga is quick out of his stance and gets in position to wall off defenders. When taking on bull rushes, Fuaga gives up little ground and is able to anchor via his lower body strength to keep himself from getting pushed into the quarterback. However, Fuaga has short arms, and his lack of length could be a problem for taking on pro edge rushers. His feet also get heavy sometimes, and he does not have the fluidity of a left tackle. His foot speed could be a problem at the pro level because NFL defenses will move their best edge rusher around the front, so Fuaga will see plenty of elite players even if he is at right tackle. Fuaga’s feet and lack of length could be problems for him in the NFL. Hence, he would be better off moving inside to guard.
In the ground game, Fuaga is a load who can knock defenders off the ball and ride them out of their gaps. Fuaga engulfs edge defenders and keeps them from flowing to the ball. With his ability to generate movement, Fuaga is an asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations. At the point of attack, Fuaga is nasty and will get very physical and violent with defenders. Via heavy hands, Fuaga shocks defenders, and he can manhandle defensive linemen at that point of attack. Fuaga looks to pancake them and is a bully on the field who really beats up opponents. Fuaga moves well for his size and is quick to the second level, plus he is a wrecking ball on the perimeter. Fuaga is on a mission to punish defenders in the open field, and he will dish out some violence downfield.
Fuaga will probably go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Some teams project him to guard, and they have him on Day 2 as a result. Others teams think Fuage can stay at tackle could consider drafting him in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Prospect Comparison:
Brandon Scherff. For the NFL, Fuaga is similar to Scheff coming out of Iowa. Both were bulls in the ground game who could be physically dominant and violent. Scherff (6-5, 315) also played tackle in college, but his lack of arm length and feet made him a better fit inside at guard in the NFL. I could see the same future for Fuaga, who could potentially be a similar caliber player to the Pro Bowl guard Scherff.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
