Olaivavega Ioane

The Player

Ioane is a powerful drive blocker who latches on to, lifts, and moves defensive tackles in the run game. He secures the line of scrimmage and works up to linebackers as a combination and zone blocker. He moves well for his size, and he locates assignments when he pulls. He’s a mauler with excellent finishing power. Ioane started 32 games over the past three seasons. He primarily lined up at left guard, but he’s also played right guard, in addition to playing center for 17 snaps and right tackle for seven snaps over the course of his career. He was a first-team All–Big Ten selection and second-team AP All-America selection in 2025. 

Ioane is a better man and gap blocker than zone blocker. He’s quick getting set, he gets his hands loaded, and he times his punches well. His punch is so violent that he can knock defenders to the ground, and you can see his upper-body strength show up in the way he passes off stunting defensive linemen. He’s not losing to power very often. He sets with a strong base, he bends well, he rewraps his hands when he doesn’t land his initial punch, and he has good size. He can mirror once he latches on to defenders, and he’s smooth in powering down when he anticipates an inside move.

He has average change of direction and can struggle to mirror when he doesn’t anticipate moves and/or doesn’t win with his hands. He’s still close to grading out as an elite pass blocker. 

The Draft

Ioane is the best offensive line prospect in this class, and he is arguably the best guard prospect since 2018 sixth pick Quenton Nelson. He’s a top 10 player overall, but positional value could cause him to fall into the teens.

The Projection

Ioane may not be as athletic as Nelson, but he is a plug-and-play starter with All-Pro potential.