Lomu is an outrageously smooth mover at 6'6", 313 pounds who already protects the blind side like a five-year veteran — zero sacks allowed in 2025 across 357 pass blocking snaps, with hand timing, mirror ability, and stunt recognition that are rare for a redshirt sophomore. His pass protection polish is legitimate and translates immediately to an NFL left tackle role in any scheme that asks him to handle speed off the edge. The run game is where you're buying the projection: he doesn't move people off the ball right now, his core strength is a work in progress, and stronger defenders have walked him back into the pocket on tape. But the 9.88 RAS, the frame to carry 325-plus, and the year-over-year improvement trajectory make him one of the safer developmental bets in this class — think two years from plug-in starter to genuine building block, provided he lands in a zone-heavy system that lets his feet do the work instead of his anchor.
- Elite movement skills and lateral agility for a 313-pound tackle — mirrors speed rushers with ease and recovers from compromised positions at an elite level
- Advanced hand timing and placement in pass protection; once he latches onto a rusher's chest plate, the rep is over
- Football IQ well beyond his experience level — processes stunts, twists, and late blitzes without panic
- Rare body control and flexibility that serve as a corrective failsafe when he loses initial positioning
- Significant year-over-year improvement trajectory (76.0 to 82.1 PFF pass blocking grade; 2 sacks to 0 sacks) suggests high coaching absorption
- Core and play strength are legitimately below NFL starting thresholds right now — does not consistently displace defenders at the point of attack in the run game
- Anchor can be stressed by power rushers; slowly drifts backward under sustained bull-rush pressure, an unconscious habit visible at the combine
- Run blocking is inconsistent — overaggressive at times, not assertive enough at others, and lacks the finishing nastiness to bury defenders
- Only 27 career college games and limited experience against elite pass rushers due to Utah's scheme providing edge protection help
Zierlein's direct comp. Similar profile: athletic, smooth-moving left tackle who passes the eye test in pass protection but needs to add functional strength and improve as a run blocker. Moore carved out a starting role in Pittsburgh via his movement skills and technique despite physical limitations. Lomu's ceiling is meaningfully higher given his age, athleticism, and development curve.