Maxwell Riley

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-5, 280 lbs. Taller than 74% and heavier than 18% of 2026 Interior Offensive Line prospects in the SEC Scouts database (207 with a listed size).

Play Style

Riley plays like a physical, technically sound tackle who wants to finish blocks. In the run game he gets his hands inside, keeps his feet moving on contact and plays through the whistle, which explains the pancake numbers. He can climb to the second level and handle combination blocks without losing his balance. In pass protection he has shown a patient, controlled set on both sides of the line. His edge experience shows up as good spacing and awareness, not length. The traits that make evaluators see him as a guard are his power at contact, his short-area quickness and his competitive nature, not the long-armed kick slide of a natural blindside tackle.

Strengths

• Versatility and experience: four years as a starter with time at both LT and RT gives him a large bank of pass sets and footwork against varied fronts, which carries over well when a tackle moves to guard
• Finishing as a run blocker: evaluators and Ohio State coverage single out his pancake production and his habit of driving defenders through the whistle, the mentality that defines a gap-scheme guard
• Work ethic and makeup: a two-time captain who drew heavy recruiting attention from the end of his freshman year, and was praised throughout his recruitment for how he approaches his development
• Movement skills for his size: tackle-level footwork and change of direction give him range as a puller and on combination blocks that bulkier interior prospects often lack

Areas to Improve

• Weight and play strength: at about 280 he needs 25-35 pounds of good weight plus a year or more of college strength training before he can handle Big Ten nose tackles and 3-techniques without being pushed back
• Anchor and hand timing inside: moving from tackle means reacting to defenders who are on him right away, handling stunts and twists, and passing off games against interior pressure. His punch timing and ability to hold ground against bull rushes need refinement at guard
• Leverage at 6-5: a taller interior lineman has to keep his pad level down so shorter, stronger tackles can't get under his chest, especially in short-yardage situations

College Projection

Ohio State practiced Riley at guard in spring 2026, and Eleven Warriors projects him as a possible multi-year starter at guard. With the Buckeyes' depth on the line, a redshirt-style first season (2026) is the realistic plan: special teams, reserve snaps and a strength program. Making the two-deep as a freshman is a stretch goal, and he was named as one of only two freshman linemen with a chance to do so. The expected timeline is backup in 2027 and a contender for a starting guard job in 2027-28, with tackle as an emergency option because of his high school experience.

NFL Outlook

It is too early for a real draft projection, but the profile gives him a legitimate path. A 6-5, 310-pound guard with tackle experience, good footwork and a finishing mentality fits what NFL teams look for in interior linemen, and versatility across multiple positions is highly valued on game-day rosters. If he becomes a multi-year starter in Ohio State's system and adds the needed strength, a Day 2-3 range is a reasonable ceiling to discuss. The main questions are how well he anchors against NFL-caliber interior power and whether he develops above the level of a solid college starter.

Best Fit

A power or gap-heavy offense at a program with patient offensive line development and serious strength staff investment. Such a scheme uses him on pulls, double-teams up to the linebacker and downhill run blocking, and lets him develop inside for 1-2 years before competing to start. Ohio State fits that description, with the added benefit of versatility: a guard-first path with tackle as a backup option makes the most of his skills while protecting against depth problems.