X’Zauvea Gadlin takes a great amount of pride in his versatility. It also makes it difficult to watch his tape, evidently.
The Liberty offensive lineman was speaking to pro scouts before the 2023 season. They told him they would watch his film as he was playing one position, and he would suddenly be gone from that spot during the next snap.
They had wondered if Gadlin had left the game for any number of reasons. No, actually, he just moved positions within the same game.
That well-rounded skill set is one of the reasons why he was a Group of Five All-American this past season. It’s also why NFL teams are interested in drafting him.
“I’m a football player, baby,” Gadlin said. “Line me up on the field no matter where I’m at. I’ve been told I fit into some schemes better than others, but I don’t like to put myself in that box. I like to think that you put me anywhere and I would be able to play well.”
X’Zauvea Gadlin Draft Projection
I project Gadlin will be selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Teams like the Washington Commanders or the Arizona Cardinals would make sense.
“I got to witness some friends do it, some teammates do it, but going through it yourself it’s a whirlwind of a process going around doing a lot of things, meeting a lot of people,” Gadlin said about the leadup to the draft. “But it’s a great time.”
X’Zauvea Gadlin’s 40 Time And NFL Combine Performance
Gadlin ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 5.5 seconds. That was 48th among offensive linemen there.
At 6-foot-3, 322 pounds, he also bench pressed 25 reps (tied for 15th), ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.97 seconds (26th), ran the three-cone drill in 8.26 seconds (28th), recorded a broad jump of 8 feet (48th), and had a vertical jump of 24 inches (53rd).
“This is not something that I ever thought I’d get a chance to be a part of,” Gadlin said at the combine. “I’m just trying to soak it all in.”
X’Zauvea Gadlin’s Stats And Highlights
Gadlin was on the All-Conference USA first team in 2023 after a stellar season.
Among FBS guards in this year’s draft class who played at least 542 snaps, Gadlin ranked 15th in Pro Football Focus’ overall grades and was 18th for run blocking.
Playing primarily right guard in 2023, Gadlin allowed nine quarterback pressures, which tied for the 27th-fewest, while not giving up a single sack all season. He also committed just one penalty all year.
In 2022, he played at least 50 snaps at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. He gave up 17 pressures and four sacks. He spent the four years before that at Tulsa, where he saw playing time at all three interior O-lineman positions and started in 22 games while playing 29.
“Those are relationships I’m never going to forget,” Gadlin said of his Liberty teammates and coaches. “So I’m happy I got to be there.”
X’Zauvea Gadlin’s NFL Comparison And Draft Profile
I project Gadlin’s playing style in the NFL will be similar to Mike Onwenu of the New England Patriots. Onwenu was a sixth-round pick in 2020, but he has become a valuable player because of his versatility as he has played both guard spots and at right tackle.
Gadlin is a big offensive lineman who’s tough to push back when he’s anchored in. He’s incredibly strong at the point of attack and maintains pretty good pad level.
Gadlin didn’t have the best testing numbers at the combine, but Liberty wasn’t afraid to get him on the move pulling or blocking out on the perimeter.
Gadlin is also smart and has good awareness. He can go from focusing on a defensive tackle on a double team to picking up a late blitz from a linebacker quickly.
Gadlin might earn a spot on an NFL roster because he’s well-rounded above all else. He played all three interior O-line spots at the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl and felt happy with how he performed. He knows how to mentally prepare for playing any spot on the offensive line, so he could provide important depth for a pro team.
“I think it is my versatility,” Gadlin said when asked what separates him from the rest of this year’s draft class. “I’ve played four out of five positions at a really, really high level. I feel like that prepared me well.”
