Charles Grant, the standout offensive lineman from William and Mary, has been firmly on the NFL radar for some time. Recently becoming the first 2025 Senior Bowl invitee, Grant has cemented himself as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class. With significant strides in his game this season, it’s time to explore what makes Grant such a unique talent and why he’s poised to succeed at the next level.
A Summer Evaluation
In the summer, we reviewed every snap of Grant’s 2023 campaign, gaining an intimate understanding of his skill set. At 285 pounds, he showed remarkable athleticism and effort, compensating for his lack of mass and strength with high-intensity, violent offensive line play. Grant displayed an uncanny ability to execute wide zone concepts, cutting off defenders across multiple gaps and minimizing backfield disruption. His quickness off the ball was elite for a college lineman, allowing him to seal defenders off anywhere on the field.
However, his game wasn’t without flaws. Playing too high at times and struggling against power rushers in pass protection highlighted his lack of mass. While his technique needed refinement, the core traits—effort, agility, and mental toughness—stood out as the foundation of an NFL-caliber player.
2024: A Breakout Year
Fast forward to 2024 and Grant has taken the next step we hoped to see. He’s added significant strength and bulk, now competing at a weight that matches the physicality of his playing style. The added mass has transformed him into a dominant force, particularly in the run game. On tape, he no longer compensates for his size—he thrives in his new weight class.
Grant’s mastery of the wide zone scheme is even more apparent this season. His ability to get sideline to sideline remains unmatched, but now he combines that mobility with added power at the point of attack. Few linemen in college football exhibit his combination of precision and athleticism, enabling him to take efficient steps and execute blocks with surgical accuracy.
Pass Protection: The Final Hurdle
While Grant’s improvements in strength and leverage have enhanced his overall game, pass protection remains the biggest question mark. His 2023 tape showed inconsistency against bull rushers, and even with his increased mass, he’ll need to prove he can anchor against elite NFL pass rushers.
Grant’s tendency to play too high has shown improvement in 2024, but scouts will closely monitor his pad level and hand placement during the Senior Bowl. Whether he lines up at guard or tackle, his ability to handle high-level competition will determine whether he’s viewed as a day-two pick or a mid-round project.
Intangibles That Set Him Apart
What makes Grant such a compelling prospect isn’t just his physical tools—it’s his mindset. Grant plays with a rare fire among college linemen, consistently straining to finish blocks and outworking his competition. His intensity on the field is contagious. These are traits you can’t teach, and they elevate him above many of his peers in the 2024 class. As an FCS product, possessing these qualities is exactly how you sell evaluators to take a chance on you.
Senior Bowl Outlook and NFL Projection
Grant’s invitation to the Senior Bowl provides the perfect stage for him to solidify his NFL draft stock. Competing against top-tier Power Four and other elite talent will test his abilities in both the run and pass game. Scouts will pay particular attention to his performance in one-on-one pass protection drills, where his improved strength and technique will be under the microscope.
Regardless of whether he projects as a guard or tackle at the next level, Grant’s versatility makes him an asset. His ability to excel in wide-zone schemes gives him a clear fit in modern NFL offenses, and his athleticism provides offensive coordinators with the flexibility to experiment with creative run concepts.
