2021 Ohio State offensive tackle commit Ben Christman is a ginormous human being at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, and the high school basketball player and dual-sport athlete is also more athletic than he often gets credit for.
On the gridiron, Christman moves very well in space, pull blocks like a smaller player, finishes at the second level and is smooth in his pass set, and we break down those traits in this week's commit film breakdown.
Movement in space
Christman has prototype offensive tackle size and pairs that with plenty of athleticism. Screen plays are run by almost every college program and most high school football teams, but there aren't many players of Christman's size who as well as he does on those plays.
Not only does he move well in space, but Christman also does a great job of selling the deep pass set to get the defender moving upfield. These screen plays are the perfect play to evaluate just how well Christman moves in space.
- Play one: Bottom of the screen to the right. Playing left tackle, Christman quickly gets out of his stance into a pass set to make the defender it is a pass play. Once the defender takes off on a pass-rush, Christman gets out in front of the running back, making a key block for a 65-yard touchdown.
- Play two: Bottom of the screen to the right. This time, the defender does not bite on the screen, so Christman goes to get him. Once locked on to the defender, he takes him five yards downfield while laying out another would-be tackler.
Pulling ability
A common run play in football is a trap where the offensive guard pulls behind the center to blindside the defensive tackle. At the high school level, these plays are often performed by guards who are smaller and move better than offensive tackles. Because of Christman's athleticism, however, he is often asked to pull block on those plays, and he does quite well at it, as he did in the following two plays.
- Play one: Left of the screen lined up at left tackle. Christman takes his first step back which allows the inside center and guard to block out so Christman can pull. Once he hits his downhill stride, Christman clears out the linebacker that otherwise would have been free for a tackle.
- Play two: Lined up at left tackle, Christman once again turns the corner while his interior offensive lineman turns out. This time, instead of clearing out the linebacker, Christman locks on and drives him into the ground downfield.
Second-level finishes
Offensive tackles need to be able to get to linebackers on the second level of a defense in order for an offense like Ohio State's to succeed. Christman has shown he can do that often, like in the following two plays, which allows for his high school offense to spring many long runs.
- Play one: Top of the screen lined up at left tackle inside of the tight end. Christman fires out of his stance and up on to the linebacker which allows the running back to follow right behind him for a solid gain.
- Play two: Middle of the screen to the left. Christman is once again lined up at left tackle and shoots right to the linebacker off the snap before putting him into the ground for a pancake.
Smooth pass set
This is likely the part of Christman's game that people are wondering about most, his ability to pass block. After watching him live this past season and studying his film, it's hard to find any major flaw. He'll need to be a touch quicker at the collegiate level, but right now, Christman is smooth in pass protection.
These two plays that we clipped out highlight the fluidity and power in Christman's pass sets:
- Play one: Lined up at left tackle near the bottom of the screen. Christman is low and quick with his first two steps in his pass set. Once he settles in after those first two steps, he moves very well on his feet, eventually driving his man far outside the pocket for a long time.
- Play two: Middle of the screen at left tackle. Out of his stance, he gives one quick pass set then picks up the stunting defensive tackle, whom he eventually plants in the dirt with a nasty finish.
While his pass set is the most critiqued part of his game, the two plays above and a handful of others from his film show Christman's smoothness in pass protection.
Christman should get even more athletic and stronger once he gets into a college strength and conditioning program, but as he stands right now, he is skilled in both the run and pass game.
