Tanor Bortolini, IOL, Wisconsin
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 303 pounds
Arm Length: 31 1/2"
Hand Size: 10”
Accomplishments:
Honorable mention All-Big Ten (2022)
“Tanor Bortolini is a competitive offensive lineman with the tools and nasty demeanor to develop into a quality interior OL in a zone offense.”
Strengths:
Experienced (more than 1,900 snaps)
Positional flexibility
Athleticism and lateral agility
Bringing feet into the action
Concerns:
Maintaining blocks
Waist-bending/overaggression
High pad level
Film Analysis:
Tanor Bortolini has worn different hats for the Badgers’ offensive line. He has played four of the five OL positions, showcasing his leadership and team-first mentality in addition to positional flexibility. He is a very experienced OL prospect who displays good instincts and awareness.
Bortolini displays good quickness off the ball to drive out of his stance and engage with defenders immediately in the run game. He is a strong reach blocker to cut/wall off the outside-shaded IDL. His zone work is good, as he can drive guys down the line of scrimmage well. I appreciate the fact he keeps his feet running/moving while engaged with his defender. He does a good job creating initial running lanes for the RB.
In pass pro, Bortolini’s game begins with his base and footwork. His feet are quick and active at the snap. He shows good lateral movement and agility to cut off nose tackles from winning the leverage battle for either inside/outside rush path. He stays square initially as he hand fights for control. His awareness shows up when handling DL games like twists and stunts. He passes off one DL for another to secure and create a clean pocket for the QB to step up in. If Bortolini is left uncovered, rest assured he will find work and help his teammates.
Bortolini has a few things to work on in his game with the right coaching. First, his snap timing and quickness are slow. He isn’t firing the ball back to the QB with good velocity or quickness. The ball takes a second or so to reach the QB, mostly in shotgun formations. His pad level tends to become too high, immediately surrendering leverage. The low man usually wins in the trenches. Bortolini can find himself being too aggressive and this leads to waist-bending, leaning into the block, creating openings for powerful counters. Hand/grip strength is a concern as he does not sustain blocks for longer periods. After the initial attack, IDLs can dislodge his hands and work towards the football.
Overall, Bortolini projects as a developmental starting-level interior offensive lineman. He is an ideal fit for zone-oriented running offenses. Bortolini can play both center and guard at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Iowa (2023), Ohio State (2023), Illinois (2023), Northwestern (2023)
