2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Center

4/22/24: Powers-Johnson is a large center who looks like a safe pick to be a very good pro starter. He is a powerful run blocker who can push defensive linemen back and open up holes in the ground game. With impressive quickness, Powers-Johnson is fast to the second level, and he packs a mean streak, laying some violent blocks on defenders. In pass protection, Powers-Johnson is rock solid, possessing the ability to one-on-one block tackles. He shows the strong base to stop large nose tackles with the speed and agility to mirror speed rushers. Team sources think Powers-Johnson could be a Pro Bowler at guard or center in the NFL.

It took some time over an odd journey, but eventually Powers-Johnson turned himself into an impactful player for the Ducks. Back in 2021, he was a backup who played defensive line in an emergency role to close out that season. He was back to being a backup in 2022, but took over as the starting center in 2023 and had a superb season.

4/22/24: Some pro sources said their teams are projecting Barton to move inside to guard in the NFL. They noted that Barton plays with short arms and his body type could fit better on the inside. He also has anchor issues with stopping speed to power. Pro evaluators said they like how Barton is physical, nasty and strong in the ground game.

At left tackle for Duke, Barton was a consistent run blocker and pass protector. He missed time and played through some injuries in 2023. Some sources said they think Barton would be a fabulous center in the NFL. He played some center as a freshman, but might need development in terms of snapping the ball.

9/1/23: The 2023 season will be the third straight year of Barton starting at left tackle for Duke. He has shown improvement over each season. Barton has quality technique and plays with good leverage. Depending on his length, he could be a candidate to move inside to guard as a pro. Barton is a tough and physical blocker that plays with a lot of fight and tenacity.

4/22/24: Frazier was solid for West Virginia in 2023. He is tough and has enough size to be a potential starter in the NFL. Team sources said they had Frazier projected to Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft and think he could start at guard or center.

9/2/23: As an underclassman, Frazier was a good blocker for West Virginia, starting his freshman season at guard before moving to center as a sophomore. Frazier did not allow a sack during his freshman season at guard before giving up three sacks in 2021. In 2022, he was the starting center and allowed only one sack all season. Center could be Frazier’s best fit in the NFL.

4/22/24: Van Pran blocked well for the Bulldogs. He is effective in the ground game at the point of attack and is a reliable pass protector. Van Pran possesses starting ability for the NFL. After accepting a Senior Bowl invitation, Van Pran pulled out of the game late.

7/6/23: Van Pran broke into the starting lineup at center for the Bulldogs in 2021 and locked down the middle of the line for their two straight National Championships. Van Pran is strong at the point of attack to help in the ground game and reliable in pass protection. He looks like a future starter in the NFL.

4/22/24: Limmer was the starter at center for the Razorbacks in 2023. He was solid, but he faces some athletic limitations for the NFL. Limmer accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl and had a mixed week of practice. Some sources said Limmer helped himself in Mobile, but others were not enthusiastic about him. Limmer should play center at the next level.

9/2/23: Limmer was a steady interior blocker for the Razorbacks during the past few seasons. As a senior, it would help him to show more strength and add some weight to his frame for the NFL.

4/22/24: Raym started for a couple of seasons at center for the Sooners. He was a steady blocker on the inside. Raym could stand to get stronger for the NFL. He did not impress at the Senior Bowl.

4/22/24: Turner had a long career at LSU, going back to being on the 2019 National Championship team that was led by Joe Burrow. In 2022, Turner became the starting center. He then was a solid interior blocker over 2022 and 2023. Turner did a decent job of protecting Jayden Daniels and helping to create some interior running lanes.

4/22/24: Bortolini was a versatile blocker for the Badgers over the past three seasons. He started at left guard, right guard, and center – and even one game at tight end. For the NFL, Bortolini would fit best as a backup guard and center. He worked out well at the combine.

4/22/24: Lee spent four seasons at Central Florida before transferring to Miami. He has quality size and is a well-rounded blocker. He was very good in pass protection and a solid run blocker for the Knights. That trend continued in 2023 for Miami. Lee didn’t receive an invitation to the Senior Bowl, but he could be a nice backup selection from the third day of the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/22/24: Gargiulo started out his collegiate career at Yale before landing with South Carolina for his final season of college football. Gargiulo showed that he can hold his own in the SEC while starting half the season at guard and half at center. Gargiulo could be a nice game-day backup for guard and center.

4/22/24: McMahon had a mixed outing against Notre Dame in Week 2. He then played better in other games. McMahon could be a mid-rounder who starts out as a backup and potentially develops into being an NFL starter.

7/6/23: McMahon has played a lot of guard for the Wolfpack, but the NFL advance scouts project him as a center for the NFL. Adding some strength would help McMahon as a pro, but he has talent to develop for the next level.

4/22/24: Nourzad started out his career playing right tackle at Cornell before transferring to Penn State. In 2022, he played guard and center before being the Nittany Lions’ center in 2023. He could be a backup guard/center to start out his pro career.

4/22/24: Samac started out his career as a rotational player before being the Spartans’ starting center for the final two seasons. Samac has good size, but he is limited athletically. He could be a backup with the potential to develop.

4/22/24: Nugent was a solid center for Michigan over the past three seasons. He was a steady contributor in the run game and reliable in pass protection. Nugent is undersized for the NFL.

4/22/24: Monk was a reliable starting center for the Blue Devils over the past couple of seasons. Prior to that, he started at right guard in 2021 and 2020 after starting at right tackle in 2019. Monk would fit best as a center in the NFL.

4/22/24: Eguakun broke into the starting lineup for the Gators in the 2021 season. He remained their starting center in 2022, but was limited to four starts in 2023 because of injury. Eguakun looks like a backup quality player for the NFL.

4/22/24: Sundell started three seasons at center for the Bison before moving to left tackle as a senior. To start out his NFL career, Sundell could compete to be a backup at a few positions. He could stand to get stronger for taking on pro linemen.