Time to continue the series where I make a case for some lesser-known prospects to be selected higher than many expect them to be. Last time, I discussed a Running Back from the SEC in Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez Jr. This time around, it’s a 2023 NFL Draft Guard from the Pac-12 in USC’s Andrew Vorhees.
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Vorhees has the type of experience and positional versatility that some teams fawn over. While at USC, he appeared in 44 games, with 37 of those games being starts. Most of his time was spent at Right Guard (25 starts), but he has played at Left Guard (8 starts) and Left Tackle (4 starts), as well.
As a player, his biggest positive attribute is his strength. A strong base, with churning legs, allows him to properly compete with powerful interior rushers. That power shows up again in his hands, where he shows tremendous pop on attack. When he latches on, he can be very difficult to discard of.
He should be able to find early success in the NFL as a run blocker. Very solid fundamentals and technique are clear. While he is also a very good pass blocker, that area of his game is a noticeably behind the others. He possesses very short arms for his size (6’6″), and that can be a problem against long-limbed defenders. As far as athleticism goes, he gets good, but not great, scores. He has nice quickness, but inconsistent footwork can haunt him. Speed rushers can take advantage of slant moves, using his footwork against him for success. Being that tall also presents some problems with his pad level and playing too vertical at times.
Andrew Vorhees Suffers Injury At The 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Combine
Last, but not least, you have to talk about the injury Vorhees suffered at the Combine. He tore his right ACL during drills, and that is naturally going to hurt his Draft stock. There are questions about whether or not he’ll even be able to get on the field in 2023. To make that worse, it would mean he takes the field in the 2024 season as a 25-year-old rookie. Even after the injury, he was able to show NFL front offices the lengths that he’s willing to go for them. With a heavy brace on his knee, and walking on crutches, he participated in the Bench Press event. In fact, with 38 reps, he put in the best performance of any player at the Combine.
Before the injury, there was buzz that he could potentially sneak into the back end of the 1st round. That’s the type of talent he is. Now, he can end up being a steal for a team that has the ability to be patient with him. Patient with his injury, but also with trying to coach him out of his minor deficiencies. Every year, players fall because of injury concerns, deserved or not. Andrew Vorhees just happens to be one of those players this year, but he can’t be counted out moving forward.
