Rating: 86.4 Rank: #9 Forty: 5.01 In a league that increasingly values mammoth tackles who can hold up in pass protection while still moving bodies in the run game, Ersery profiles as an in...
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DRAFT PROFILE: BIO
From track and field athlete to potential NFL starter, Aireontae Ersery's journey is as fascinating as his imposing frame. The Kansas City native didn't start playing football until his junior year at Ruskin High School, where he balanced gridiron duties with impressive accomplishments in shot put, discus, and javelin. That raw athletic foundation caught Minnesota's eye, and the Golden Gophers' gamble on the three-star recruit has paid off handsomely.
After a patient development path that included a COVID-shortened freshman campaign and a redshirt season, Ersery seized the left tackle position in 2022 and never looked back. Over the next three seasons, he started 38 consecutive games, showcasing steady improvement that culminated in a stellar 2024 campaign where he earned Second Team All-American honors and was named Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year.
His senior season highlights included a dominant performance against Penn State's Abdul Carter and several games where he anchored an offense that topped 400 total yards. Though he opted out of Minnesota's bowl game to prepare for the draft, Ersery's stock continued to rise with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, where he proved he could hold his own against elite competition.
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
- Devastating power in the run game with heavy hands that can completely wash defenders out of plays - consistently created massive lanes in Minnesota's zone scheme
- Exceptional length and wingspan that he weaponizes effectively, keeping speed rushers at bay while maintaining leverage through the entire rep
- Natural anchor ability against power rushers, showing the core strength to absorb bull rushes without giving ground even against physical defenders
- Quick processor who diagnoses basic stunts and line games efficiently, showing good awareness to pass off defenders and maintain pocket integrity
- Explosive first step off the snap allows him to beat defenders to the spot in pass protection and create immediate movement in the run game
- Shows good timing and feel on combo blocks, understanding when to release to the second level while maintaining control of down linemen
- Nasty finisher who plays through the whistle and looks to bury defenders, particularly effective when pulling or leading in space
- Rare durability and availability, proving his toughness by starting 38 straight games at a physically demanding position
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
- Can play too upright in his pass sets, causing him to lose leverage battles against shorter, explosive edge rushers who get under his pads
- Strike timing needs refinement - sometimes late with his punch which leaves him vulnerable to quick swim moves and cross-chops
- Shows some stiffness when forced to redirect, lacking the fluid lower body movement to consistently mirror elite bend and counter moves
- Can get overaggressive in the run game, leading to balance issues and whiffed blocks when defenders use his momentum against him
- Complex blitz packages and delayed stunts can give him trouble, suggesting he'll need time to adjust to NFL-level protection schemes
SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY
In a league that increasingly values mammoth tackles who can hold up in pass protection while still moving bodies in the run game, Ersery profiles as an intriguing Day 2 prospect with starter upside. His combination of size, power, and steady technical improvement suggests a player whose best football may still be ahead of him.
The learning curve won't be gentle - he'll need to clean up his hand timing and improve his ability to redirect against counter moves. But his outstanding length, natural power, and proven durability make him an attractive option for teams running play-action heavy schemes that can maximize his strengths while his pass protection develops.
Look for Ersery to find a home in the second round, likely with a team that employs plenty of quick game and play-action concepts to help ease his transition. While he may need time to develop into a full-time starter, his physical tools and steady college progression suggest he could become a quality right tackle with left tackle flexibility in the right system.
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