NAME: Alijah Vera-Tucker
POSITION: Left Guard/Left Tackle
SCHOOL: USC
HEIGHT: 6’4”
WEIGHT: 315 pounds
CAREER BACKGROUND
Before his days in college football, Alijah Vera-Tucker played both offensive tackle and defensive end on his high school football team. He is a native of Oakland, California. For his high school career, Vera-Tucker attended Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland. From there, he was named an Under Armour All-American as a senior and was rated as a four-star recruit. Despite seven other offers from Pac 12 schools (Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, UCLA and Cal), Vera-Tucker eventually committed to USC.
The COVID-19 pandemic created many difficult decisions for college football players. This included Alijah Vera-Tucker, as he originally opted out of the 2020 season. This was due to the Pac 12 conference announcing that the fall season would be postponed. But, the conference ultimately announced that they would resume fall football activities. Vera-Tucker reversed his opt out decision as a result, and the opt in gave him a new opportunity at USC. That was the chance at moving from left guard to left tackle. Overall, he impressed and improved his draft stock even more.
- Chiefs Offense: Performance Vs Bears Sign Of Things To Come?
- Chiefs Offense Looks To Work Through Kinks Vs Bears
- Chiefs Vs Bears: Key Personnel Matchups
- Buy, Sell, Hold: Could Kansas City Chiefs Have Top Ten Defense?
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Restructure Contract, Reset QB Market
SCOUTING REPORT
Positives
Hand Technique
Vera-Tucker provides a consistent, strong punch at the point of attack. He does a nice job of keeping his hands active and making punches roll quickly. It is evident that his power stands out, especially when blocking down in run blocking reps. At the same time, he keeps his hands under control. You see a blocker who rarely lets his hands or arms get too wide and wrapped around the opposing defender. Moreover, keeping those hands inside also helps strengthen an already stout anchor and lower half. This aspect of Vera-Tucker’s game also helps to cover up the less developed parts of this prospect entering the NFL level.
Leverage/Pad Level
This was still a strength in 2020 for Alijah Vera-Tucker. However, this stood out more when he was playing left guard in 2019. Over and over again, you can see a player with a good sense of staying under control and not getting too high from the jump of the snap. Using the smooth lower half, Vera-Tucker has a keen quick first step to get an early jump in order to blow opponents back. Another facet of the blocker’s game that shines because of his good sense of leverage, is Vera-Tucker’s explosiveness. I would say his blocks provide a greater sense of explosiveness and being technically sufficient, rather than being stronger than opponents.
Awareness
What stood out instantly when watching Alijah Vera-Tucker, was his ability to keep his head on swivel. His ability to diagnose blitzes in pre-snap is better than most offensive linemen when they enter the league. Trying to throw exotic looks, stunts and twists against Vera-Tucker just does not work. He processes defenders trying to switch either inside out, or outside in very quickly. As a potential prospect of the Kansas City Chiefs, this would fit in well with the offense. How? With plays needing sufficient time to develop downfield for one, Patrick Mahomes needs ample time to scan all levels of the field. An instinctive and a very aware blocker up front like Vera-Tucker would be a huge upgrade.
-
EP 136: Week 3 Studs and Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Negatives
Length
This is an issue that stuck out largely in 2020 at left tackle. His arm length is just not there. Consequently, he cannot use any sense of smoothness as an asset. If he can keep the opponent or the play moving vertically, he is just fine. Nonetheless, Vera-Tucker will still need to become more technical as a inline blocker, even though that is already a finer part of his game.
Footwork
There is certainly other offensive linemen in the draft class that are not superior athletically. Though, Vera-Tucker is someone who can hide some of that in diminutive ways. One area where he struggles is with his footwork, however. There is evidence of Vera-Tucker having more trouble with blocks when being forced to move laterally. When facing speed rushers or guys with natural bend, there were many times where he was left chasing them. Finding a way to transition more smoothly will be of upmost importance in this prospect’s development. To boot, keeping his lower half more active and not allowing his feet to become too heavy is another area of improvement.
Play Strength
We discussed this a little bit earlier on. The bottom line for Vera-Tucker is that he wins reps more with explosion and power, rather than strength. And once again, the move to left tackle opened up more of the issues in play strength. He did hold his own on the outside better than some anticipated. Yet, developing a certain physicality or nasty nature is something that just cannot be taught or coached. This does not necessarily mean that Vera-Tucker cannot succeed. Although, that play style may be better suited in a zone blocking scheme like Kansas City’s.
Chiefs Fit
It has been no secret in 2020, that the Kansas City Chiefs have an offensive line who is struggling. The greater need lies on the interior. It would not hurt to address any of the offensive line positions, though. With Alijah Vera-Tucker, his skillset fits in with the zone blocking style of the Chiefs. He does a good job of mirroring opposing defenders with that sharp hand technique. Thinking of the running game in Kansas City, someone like Clyde Edwards-Helaire would greatly appreciate Vera-Tucker. At USC, there was a dominant sense shown in reaching the second level or with combination blocks. A very technically sound blocker would be a huge upgrade upfront to protect the $500 million quarterback in Mahomes.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs draft prospect profiles throughout the winter and spring. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Mattby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Is this Penn State team ready to challenge Ohio St. & Michigan ?by LandryFootball.com on September 27, 2023 at 10:00 am
Look through the list of Big Ten East Division champions and it’s easy […]
-
Film Room Nuggets--The Bears & Jets QB situation & Broncos off to rough start under Paytonby LandryFootball.com on September 26, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Week 3 is still early in the NFL season, but some teams are already facing […]
-
Ep 307: FAAB Talk and Taylor Swiftby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 1:55 am
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 185: Week 4 Preview vs Lionsby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 12:36 am
A solo Senra show. For this episode, Kyle Senra previews the upcoming […]
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-27 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason loss to Dallas.by Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Preseason, Stars, Wild Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 797by Charlie Saunier on September 27, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Ep 797 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Last Season, […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-26 - Preseason games, numbers, notes.by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Reviewing the split squad games and numbers Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-26 - Connor Bedard & Lucas Reichel stealing the show in training campby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Blackhawks’ front office changing up and takeaways from Blackhawks’ […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-26 - Hockey is Finally Back!!!!by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 2:00 pm
The preseason for the Carolina Hurricanes begins today which means hockey […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Independence Dayby Charlie Saunier on September 26, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Independence Day Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
9/26 - Eagles/Bengals Win On MNF, Mac Jones, and Much Moreby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles and Bengals wins on Monday Night Football, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 307: FAAB Talk and Taylor Swiftby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 1:55 am
-
EP 136: Week 3 Studs and Dudsby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 7:01 pm
-
Lions at Packersby Broken Controller Media on September 26, 2023 at 3:15 pm
-
Sacramento Kings Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 26, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/26 - Eagles/Bengals Win On MNF, Mac Jones, and Much Moreby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 2:04 pm
-
Hang Ten and Bali - Sep. 25, 2023by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Ep 185: Week 4 Preview vs Lionsby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 12:36 am
-
Full Press MMA - 9-25 - Israel Drinks & Drives while Colby hates Stricklandby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
Portland Trail Blazers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "The Rock Says..."by Boot 2 The Face on September 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm
On this episode of B2TF we talk AEW, WWE, NXT, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Raw, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Shock Waves in Pro Wrestling: A McMahon No Longer Owns WWEby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he discusses the history made as Vince […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]