Wilson is a one-year starter, but he looks to be the best pure center in this year’s draft class.
NFL Draft player profiles and reports are one of my favorite things to do at this time of the year. Some of the Seattle Seahawks picks I’ve nailed down in recent years include Byron Murphy II, Christian Haynes, Tyrice Knight, Devon Witherspoon, Zach Charbonnet, Olu Oluwatimi, Kenny McIntosh, Boye Mafe, Abe Lucas, and Riq Woolen.
As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, we’ll be taking closer looks at a host of prospects, including expected Round 1 picks all the way to Day 3/UDFA options. Today we’re reviewing Georgia center Jared Wilson, a one-year starter who’s reportedly had an official 30 visit with the Seahawks.
Let’s get to the report!
Prospect Info
Name: Jared Wilson
Jersey #: 55
College: Georgia Bulldogs
Position: C
Awards: 2024: Second-team All-SEC;
Class: Redshirt Junior
Style: Pass Pro
Comparison: JC Tretter
Projection: 3rd round
Combine/Pro Day Results
HT 6’3
WT 310
Arms: 32 3/8”
Wingspan 80”
Hands 10 3/4”
40 yds 4.84s
10 yd split 1.72s
Short Shuttle: 4.56s
3 Cone Drill: N/A
VJ 32”
BJ 9’ 4”
Bench Press N/A
Relative Athletic Score: 9.98
Background
In a weak center class, Jared Wilson stands out. He started his career as a guard on Georgia’s good offensive line and spent three years behind Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. He has only one year as a starter, which raises questions about how he will make it in the league and his starting position. However, with incredible athletic ability, he has the potential to be better than SVPG, his predecessor in Georgia.
Evaluating the prospect…
Athletic ability
Wilson caught everyone’s attention during the combine. His almost perfect RAS is the reason for this. We can see this athletic ability on the field. He moves without much difficulty and can make deep blocks.
Comparing Wilson athletically to Erik McCoy, the Saints’ center, the Georgia player wins in basically every aspect. The exception is in two points: arm length 32 3/8 vs 33 and the 3-cone drill that Wilson did not run either at the Pro Day or the Combine.
Pass Protection
He takes advantage of Deone Walker’s pad level issues and easily gains leverage to control the snap.
Although he needs technical refinement, his ability is above average, being able to control NT and 3-techs.
His pass protection style is not passive but aggressive.
He leans too much (something he needs to improve) and receives a club move. However, he has the speed to recover and contain the defender’s momentum. I like to evaluate this recovery ability of OLs. In the NFL, it is inevitable that you will encounter someone better than you on a snap. Therefore, the ability to recover, to “adjust on the fly” is very important.
He controls the NT throughout the snap. The defender tries all the time, but Wilson is in control.
Good positioning and leverage make the defender give up even on the arm over he was planning.
Processing/Football IQ
He notices the threat of the LB’s blitz and starts the snap but keeps his eyes open for possible threats. There are few times when he is caught off guard by blitzes and stunts.
This is a very confident snap. He notices the late stunt and still stays on the DT, confident that he has enough lateral mobility to catch the looper (and does so effectively).
Where does he need to improve?
There are some technical issues that need and can be improved. Always remember that he has only been a starter for one year. At times he leans too much and uses his head to initiate contact. This can be fatal against smarter DLs.
He has the athletic ability to get to the second level. What he needs to adjust is the angle and anticipate the path of the defenders.
STRENGTHS:
– Athletic ability;
– Technical player;
– Pass protection;
– Reading blitzes and stunts;
WEAKNESSES:
– Leans too much on contact;
– Needs to improve his targeting at the second level;
– Only one year as a starter;
Final Thoughts
The Seahawks have needed a center for a long time. Wilson has the potential to “solve” this issue. His athletic ability is an incredible fit with what Klint Kubiak needs in his offense. It’s worth remembering the importance of the center that the OC mentioned in the zone scheme. Wilson doesn’t have the experience that Olu Oluwatimi has, but he’s a player with much more potential.
2025 NFL Draft Reports:
Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina
Esa Pole, OL, Washington State
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina