2021 Chargers Draft Profile: VaTech OT Christian Darrisaw

Over the past decade, it hasn’t mattered the coach, it hasn’t matter the general manager, and it hasn’t mattered what city the team resides in. The Chargers have constantly needed to fix their offensive line over the past decade. But even after the front office tried to do just that with the acquisition of Trai Turner and the signing of Bryan Bulaga, it has done little to move the needle for the unit.

Tom Telesco hasn’t drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since D.J. Fluker during his first draft at the helm in 2013. Fluker switched to guard in his second year and is on his fourth team as of 2020.

It’s high time that TT dips back into the position in this year’s draft, even if he can’t draft Oregon’s Penei Sewell.

One option for them could be Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw, who is currently soaring up draft boards as a junior for the Hokies.

The 6’5, 314-pound Darrisaw has been VaTech’s starter on the blindside since he walked on campus back in 2018. He’s got 33 total starts to his name with only one game missed due to injury.

At first glance, Darrisaw has the ideal build for an NFL tackle. He’s long-limbed, a smooth glider on the field, and has flashes of intensity and aggression that gets the blood pumping. His athleticism is apparent on tape and in the clip below, you can see the patience and effort displayed as the lead blocker on a screen pass for a touchdown.

Darrisaw also isn’t just an athletic mover. He understands leverage — something he has shown major improvement in over the past two seasons — and has the sheer power to move opposing players out of the way and open up running lanes for his backs. The Hokies’ tailback, Khalil Herbert, is averaging over 100 yards per game and has seven touchdowns on the year thanks to Darrisaw. Here’s one of those seven scores below:

Finally, I’ll leave you with this clip below of Darrisaw playing against North Carolina. He takes UNC linebacker Chazz Suratt (a future day one/two pick in his own right) for a ride a la The Blind Side all the way down the field before the whistle blows.

I haven’t gotten to watch a ton of film on many prospects yet, but Darrisaw is one of the fastest risers across all positions so far this season. Along with Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater and Sewell, this draft class has some serious talent at the top and could end up pushing this past year’s class a bit in the tackle category.