Biography Ricky Wagner Left Tackle Wisconsin Left Tackle #58 Junior Redshirt
Pros
Physical Ability: Ricky Wagner has that physical ability and blocking strength that your typical blue collar Wisconsin offensive tackle prospect has.
Durability: Wagner is a durable offensive tackle. Wagner can start consecutive games and he rarely gets injured. Wagner started 10 games at right tackle across from 2011 first round pick Gabe Carimi in 2010. Wagner has started all 4 games at left tackle this year.
Size: Ricky Wagner has a 6 foot 6 320 pound frame at the offensive tackle position.
Football IQ: Wagner has an outstanding football IQ. Wagner played tight end during high school in high school. Wagner bulked up and has managed to make the transition from tight end to offensive tackle.
Awareness: Wagner has good awareness of where opposing defensive ends are when it comes to play recognition ability on the football field.
Intangibles: Ricky Wagner has the intangibles that an NFL Scout looks for in an offensive tackle.
Pass Blocking: Wagner is an excellent pass blocker. Wagner will use his pass blocking ability to give quarterbacks more time in the pocket.
Run Blocking: Wagner is a tenacious run blocking offensive tackle prospect. Wagner is very aggressive and finds ways to attack defenders with his run blocking ability.
Pass Blocking Footwork: If you watched Saturday’s Nebraska VS Wisconsin game you will notice Ricky Wagner’s outstanding footwork while pass blocking.
Can Play Left Tackle: Ricky Wagner has developed into a full time starter at left tackle for Wisconsin this season.
Can Play Right Tackle: Ricky Wagner started 10 games at right tackle last season.
Production: Wisconsin produces some of the best offensive line prospects in the country who play on Sunday’s. Ricky Wagner is the next blindside prospect to follow suit at Wisconsin after Joe Thomas and Gabe Carimi.
Potential: Wagner has the potential to develop into a pro bowl blindside with the proper development.
Cons
Learning Rate: It takes Ricky Wagner a while to learn a new scheme. The reason Wagner benefitted was because he didn’t start until his sophomore redshirt year at Wisconsin. Wagner got a few years to sit out and develop as a prospect. Wagner will struggle if you rush him into the fire.
Zone Blocking: Ricky Wagner does not have the technician like skill set of a premiere zone blocker.
Run Blocking Footwork: Ricky Wagner’s footwork as a run blocker is really sloppy. Run blocking footwork is one area that Ricky Wagner needs to address.
My thoughts on Ricky Wagner
Ricky Wagner has the tools to develop into a pro bowler. Wagner is more polished as a pass blocker than Gabe Carimi. Wagner does not have the learning rate, zone blocking, or run blocking footwork that Carimi displayed coming out of Wisconsin.
Wagner could succeed at the same time he is just as capable of failing in the NFL if he is rushed into a lineup too quickly because he will need at least at least 2 years on the sideline to learn the playbook. The upside is there with Wagner. He offers so much from a blocking standpoint. The downside is that Wagner is so raw for an offensive tackle prospect entering the NFL so he needs the proper time to mature blending into the league.
