Luke Farrell 2021 all-around NFL and Ohio State alumni…

Luke Farrell 2021 all-around NFL and Ohio State alumni draft comparisons

We are now moving onto prospect number four in our series comparing the current crop of draft-eligible Ohio State football prospects to Buckeye players from previous classes. The NFL draft is only a few weeks away and we have already dove into Trevon Grimes (transferred out), Trey Sermon, and Justin Fields.

Today we are going to touch on tight end, Luke Farrell. The former four-star recruit was a consensus top ten tight end in the class of 2016. The Ohio State offense is not kind to the tight end position, but Farrell’s draft stock should be similar to Trevon Grimes. Below we will dive into his best all around comparison and his best former Buckeye match.

Player Profile

Name: Luke Farrell

Position: Tight End

Height: 6-5

Weight: 251 pounds

Luke Farrell said he believes he is the best blocking tight end in this year's draft – as Kevin Wilson said a couple weeks ago that NFL scouts had told him – and he believes he showed today what he could do as a pass-catcher. pic.twitter.com/y5OdZNurig

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 30, 2021

NEXT … The closest all-around comp to Farrell

All-around Comparison: Dallas Clark

I heard the Dallas Clark comparison earlier in the off-season and I think it is a good one, but it should be obvious that Farrell is at his best is a diet Dallas Clark. The former Iowa tight end was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He was one of the most outstanding tight ends in the NFL winning a Super Bowl and earning a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro nod during his career.

Farrell is not going to sniff the kind of success Clark had and will likely be a mid-late round selection, but they do have some similarities. Both players are technically sound, consistent, and reliable. Clark was in the league for so long even after his athleticism was fading due to his detail-oriented play and Farrell shares that edge with him.

The reason why Clark was a first-round selection and Farrell won’t be is due to the difference in athleticism. Farrell has below-average speed and a complete tight end needs to be able to challenge vertically. Clark was one of the more athletic ends during his playing career.

6.33 3 cone is nuts Dallas Clark was playing out of position https://t.co/gcUy12TMNM

— Last Minute Lon (@jakecam1010) March 26, 2021

NEXT … Best former Ohio State comp

Farrell’s best Buckeye Comparison: Nick Vannett

Vannett was drafted in the third round of the 2016 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 and was signed by the Denver Broncos in 2020 before being released, and has since signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason. His career has been less than spectacular, but he has found his role.

Vannett was a much better prospect than Farrell, but they are both elite blockers. Vannett was far and away the best blocker in the 2016 class and Farrell was essentially a sixth offensive lineman during his time in Columbus.

Much like with the Clark comparison, Farrell does not possess the same athleticism that Vannett has. Vannett has the measurables to be a number one option at the position, but Farrell’s lack of speed is going to limit his opportunities. Despite being a lesser prospect than Vannett, Farrell should have a similar journeyman career.