Aireontae Ersery 2025 NFL Draft Minnesota OT Scouting Report
Coming out of Minnesota, Aireontae Ersery is a highly talented OT prospect with plenty of upside. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented young rookies with bright NFL futures. Today, we’ll be breaking down the NFL Draft outlook for the impressive OT out of Minnesota in this scouting report.
Aireontae Ersery 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Aireontae Ersery is an intriguing offensive tackle prospect with the size, power, and football intelligence to contribute at the next level. A multi-year starter at Minnesota, Ersery has developed into a strong run blocker with a solid anchor in pass protection.
Furthermore, his ability to use his length effectively, combined with his awareness and experience, makes him a valuable asset in both zone and power-run schemes. More importantly, he should be a highly coveted prospect in this loaded 2025 NFL Draft class. However, some technical inconsistencies and athletic limitations could impact his transition to the NFL. Below is a breakdown of his strengths and areas for improvement.
HT: 6062
WT: 331
HAND: 948
ARM: 3318
40: 5.01
Strengths
- Run-Game Dominance: Ersery is a mauler in the run game, using his size and raw power to displace defenders at the point of attack. He excels in Minnesota’s zone-based scheme, consistently creating wide lanes by driving defensive linemen off the ball or sealing them out of plays. His ability to climb to the second level and engage linebackers is a testament to his blend of strength and coordination.
- Anchor Ability: In pass protection, Ersery’s wide base and core strength make him nearly immovable against power rushers. He easily absorbs bull rushes, maintaining pocket integrity even against the Big Ten’s most physical defenders.
- Explosive First Step: Ersery fires off the line with impressive quickness for a man his size. This burst allows him to engage defenders early, dictate the terms of the block, and recover when initially out of position.
- Competitive Toughness: Ersery plays with a nasty streak, finishing blocks with authority and showing a relentless motor. His physicality sets the tone for Minnesota’s offensive line and translates well to the pro level.
- Experience and Versatility: With over 2,000 snaps at left tackle and a handful at right tackle as a freshman, Ersery brings a wealth of experience. Though untested recently, his ability to flip sides adds theoretical flexibility for NFL teams.
Areas for Improvement
- Lateral Agility: While Ersery’s linear explosiveness is elite, his lateral quickness is average. Speedy edge rushers who bend the corner or use quick counters can stress his footwork, occasionally forcing him to lunge or lose leverage.
- Hand Technique: Ersery relies heavily on his natural power and length, but his hand placement and timing need refinement. His punches can be late or inconsistent, allowing savvy defenders to swipe them away and gain leverage. This was evident against top-tier pass rushers like Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who held his own but showed room for growth.
- Pad Level: At 6’6”, Ersery sometimes plays too upright, particularly in pass protection. This can reduce his ability to sink his hips and mirror quicker defenders, leaving him vulnerable to low-leverage moves or inside counters.
- Recovery Skills: When beaten off the snap, Ersery’s stiffer hips and knees limit his ability to reset quickly. He compensates with effort and length, but against NFL-caliber athletes, this could lead to more pressures than he allowed in college (one sack, 12 pressures in 2024).
Conclusion
Ersery is a throwback lineman with modern athletic traits. His journey from a raw high school prospect to a three-year college starter highlights his work ethic and adaptability—qualities that will endear him to NFL coaches. While he’s not a finished product, his combination of size, power, and football IQ gives him a strong foundation to build. Ersery is a name to watch in the 2025 draft for a team seeking a plug-and-play tackle with long-term potential.
Ersery profiles as a high-floor, scheme-versatile tackle with the tools to start early in his NFL career. His run-blocking dominance and pass-protection reliability make him an ideal fit for teams employing play-action-heavy or power-run offenses (e.g., Chiefs, Ravens, Titans). While he’s best suited for left tackle, his size and strength could see him slide to right tackle or even guard in a pinch. His ceiling hinges on technical refinement—improving hand usage and flexibility could elevate him from a solid starter to a Pro Bowl-caliber player. He resembles Kaleb McGary (Atlanta Falcons)—a powerful, athletic tackle who excels in the run game and holds his own in pass protection with room to grow technically.
Round Grade: Late 2nd – Early 3rd Round
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