By Adam Aniba
This year's draft class features some high end talent at interior offensive lineman, with as many as 4 likely to be selected in the top 50. Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence only played one year in the SEC, but immediately made his presence felt.
O'Cyrus Torrence
6'5" 347 lbs | OG | UF
Draft Proj 2nd Rd
Background
Torrence grew up in Greensburg, LA attending St. Helena Central HS. The guard was a Two-Time First Team All-District honoree and received First Team All-State 2A honors during his junior season.
Torrence was named a 3-Star recruit by ESPN, receiving offers from Georgia, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, ULM, South Alabama and Middle Tennessee. O'Cyrus ultimately committed to Louisiana.
As a true freshman, the St. Helena Central guard started 13 of 14 games and was named to the 2019 Football Writers Association of America-Shaun Alexander Freshman All-America Team.
Torrence was apart of a dominating run game in '19 that ranked 3rd nationally in yards per carry (6.28), 4th nationally in rushing touchdowns (42), 6th nationally in rushing yards per game (257.4) and 7 nationally in total rushing yards (3,604). As a unit, the Ragin Cajuns offensive line was one of the best in the country ranking 5th nationally and 1st in the Sun Belt in sacks allowed (1.07).
The Ragin Cajuns guard continued to dominate in '20, averaging 213.0 yards per game. The o-line was a Joe Moore Award Semifinalist for their outstanding play. Prior to and during the '21 season, hopes were high for Torrence, earning him multiple accolades.
2021 Sun Belt First Team Offense
2021 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List
2021 Sun Belt Preseason First Team
2021 Athlon Sports Sun Belt Preseason Second Team Offense
2021 LSWA Second Team
Torrence transferedad to Florida for the '22 season and started 11 games. In 701 snaps, he only surrendered 2 QB hurries, zero QB hits, and no sacks while starting at right guard.
Torrence was the first Gators offensive guard to be named a Consensus All-American (34th in Florida history). In his first month in Gainesville, Torence's efforts vs Tennessee (9/24/22) led to a 594 total yard and 5 TD performance. The game vs the Volunteers was one of his most impressive performances, dominating the line of scrimmage in the run game and in pass pro.
Torrence and the o-line had their best rushing performance of the season vs S.Carolina (11/12/22), where the Gators offensive line helped lead the way for 374 yards rushing (6.9 yards per rush).
The game against in state rival FSU (11/25/22) was another marquis performance for the right guard, in which the Gators rushed for 262 yards.
2022 Consensus All-American 2022 AFCA First Team All-America
2022 Sporting News First Team All-America
2022 AP First Team All-America
2022 Walter Camp First Team All-America
2022 First Team AP All-SEC
2022 First Team All-SEC
Co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 11, 2022)
SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 10, 2022)
PROS
Displays a mean streak as a finisher
A natural knee bender who displays the ability to absorb contact
Exceptional hand placement with an impressive punch, often redirecting bull rushers/stunts
Extremely physical and decent movement skills for a prospect of his size
Excelled in double team blocks, often times knocking interior rushers to the ground
CONS
Needs refinement with his overall technique in pass pro
Can struggle to redirect and recover if beaten off the snap
Although displayed the ability to pull, dropping some weight would improve his overall burst off the snap
Too often lunges in pass pro, when facing quick twitch pass rushers
Can be over aggressive at times, which causes him to lose leverage and play with his head down
Outlook
Torrence's overall ability to move laterally might concern some teams, but his potential to help in the run game undeniable.
Looking at the breakout '22 season for Florida QB Anthony Richardson had as a runner (654 yards rushing & 9 TDs 6.3 a rush), Torrence deserves a lot of credit for the QB's success.
Torrence is a mammoth guard, who showed he can be an effective lead blocker in the run game and can get to the second level with little wasted movement. Teams that utilize play action often, would be wise to take a deep look at the Gators guard.
The team that drafts the Gators interior offensive lineman will have to exercise patience with his development, while he improves as pass blocker. Dropping some weight prior to the combine, will be key for teams that are concerned about his overall ceiling. As Torrence goes through combine drills for NFL teams, he'll need to impress and be in the best physical shape of his life.
Make no mistake, Torrence will earn his money in the run game. In time though, Torrence could also be one of the most effective guards from this draft class in pass pro as well.
*Games Watched- 9/10/22 vs Kentucky, 9/24 vs Tenn, 10/8 vs Mizz, 10/29 vs UGA, 11/5 vs Texas A&M, 11/12 vs S. Carolina, 11/19 vs Vandi & 11/25 vs FSU
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