Diego

Pounds

Pounds (6’5/325) is a filled-out left tackle who pairs a thick lower half with nearly 34-inch arms and surprising movement skills for a 325-pounder. Pounds posted a solid 2025 campaign in pass protection with a 75.8 PFF pass-block grade and 98.5 efficiency, allowing zero sacks and 16 pressures on 583 pass-blocking snaps. He wins with grip strength and a jarring initial punch, using lighter-than-expected feet to stay square and recover against edge speed. Athletically, Pounds checks the boxes with an 8.57 RAS, showing good straight-line speed and explosiveness that translate to his ability to mirror and climb when he’s on balance. However, his run blocking lags behind (51.7 grade in 2025), as he struggles to consistently connect on the move and can allow defenders into his chest due to pad level and hand placement inconsistencies. He has played almost exclusively at left tackle, leaving some projection required if teams view him as a swing option. With size, length and pass protection upside, Pounds has eventual 53-man roster potential if his run-game technique and play strength consistency improve.

Pounds is now North Carolina’s 17th commit in an already impressive 2021 recruiting class. At 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, Pounds is built like a ready-made tackle and moves exceptionally well for an offensive tackle. Like a lot of three-star recruits, it may take some time for Pounds to be molded into the player he can be, but it’s clear the frame and athletic tools are there. Pounds also had offers from a number of other notable Power Five schools, including Alabama, LSU, Florida, Michigan, and more. Pounds is from Raleigh, North Carolina, though, so it’s easy to understand a player wanting to stick close to home.