2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Olaivavega Ioane (OL – Penn State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Penn State offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Olaivavega Ioane

Olaivavega Ioane (OL – Penn State)

6-foot-4 | 328 Pounds

Background

Olaivavega Ioane was a three-star recruit who played sparingly in 2022 before starting five games in 2023, all at left guard (he totaled 670 snaps between both guard spots on the year, the vast majority at left guard), allowing three sacks and 14 combined sacks + hits + hurries.

Started at left guard again in 2024 (once at right guard), finishing the year with zero sacks and 17 combined sacks + hits + hurries. He then reprised that role this past season, with an excellent season of zero sacks and four combined sacks + hits + hurries.

Positives

A very thickly built starter with over two years of experience on the interior, who has shown year-over-year progress. Comes from a gap-heavy offense that asked a lot of their linemen, assignment-wise, with frequent pulls (to either side) and some difficult hook blocks and work in space.

Can actually be a bit difficult to find at times, as Ioane is sometimes lined up as essentially an H-back to pull and lead the way on outside rushing attempts. Surprisingly mobile for such a big man, with above-average movement skills and an excellent work rate to get out in space and line up opponents. Has the short-area quickness to cross a defender’s face and hook them away from the play design, even when he’s on the move.

Lower body strength allows Ioane to naturally wall off opponents. Keeps his feet churning after contact to drive back defenders and generate push in the run game. A nasty finisher who works hard through the whistle to put defenders in the dirt. Shows a stable base and straight back in his pass sets.

Drops an early anchor against power on passing downs and is very difficult to bull-rush due to his excellent lower-body strength. Active hand-fighter with generally good placement and thudding power in his hands. Actively scans for chances to help when unopposed.

Negatives

Balance leaves a bit to be desired for someone with Ioane’s natural strength; shows some tendencies to fall off blocks to either side. Would like to see him work with a more consistent base. Needs to improve his grip strength, as his effort to sustain is generally better than his grip.

Mobility is impressive for his size/build, but not quite on the level of some other top interior prospects in recent years. Can be a bit of a leaner when dealing with spinners in the passing game.

Summary

A very thickly-built blocker with the type of lower body strength you’d like and a tough, physical on-field temperament, but who is actually surprisingly mobile for his size. Executed some difficult blocks in the Nittany Lions’ gap-based scheme.

At times, it didn’t seem like he was sustaining blocks or playing with the balance you’d expect given his physical and athletic traits, but he still offers pretty good snap-to-snap consistency. Probably the top true guard in the draft class. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see how Ioane will fit into an in-line/gap scheme at the next level. Should be able to work his way into the starting lineup relatively early.

Projection: Round 1/Round 2