Ben Congdon

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-7, 285 lbs. Taller than 75% and heavier than 35% of 2026 Offensive Tackle prospects in the SEC Scouts database (182 with a listed size).

Play Style

Congdon plays as a finisher in the run game who likes to strike first. On film he fires out, lands his punch and keeps his feet moving to drive defenders off the ball. That fits the effort and finishing ability 247 describes, and he was productive on both offense and defense in small-school Ohio football. In pass protection his length does a lot of the work: rushers have to take wide paths, and he can steer them past the pocket. When he stays square he is hard to get around. His main vulnerability is rising out of his stance, which lets strong rushers get into his chest and push him back. His wrestling background shows up in hand fighting and in regaining balance after first contact.

Strengths

• Punch power and finishing: 247 says he 'flashes punch power' and 'shows drive-blocking effort and finishing ability.' In the run game he looks to bury defenders instead of just walling them off.
• Length and blocking area: at 6-8 he makes edge rushers take a wider path, so speed rushers have to go deeper around him, and he can recover by extending his arms.
• Wrestling carryover: placing sixth in heavyweight at the Ohio state meet shows real hip strength, balance and hand fighting. Miami's staff made the trip to Ohio to watch him wrestle during his recruitment.
• Positional flexibility: 247 projected him as able to play guard as well as tackle, and he took first-team reps at left guard in Miami's 2026 camp while competing with five-star Jackson Cantwell.
• Steep development curve and maturity: his junior-film jump earned nine Division I offers after New Year's Day 2025. In Miami's camp, senior lineman Matthew McCoy said Congdon and Cantwell are 'not freshmen at all.'

Areas to Improve

• Pad level in pass protection: his high center of gravity leaves him vulnerable to speed-to-power rushes and to shorter rushers who get under his pads. He needs to sink his hips and kick-step without rising up.
• Competition jump: he played Division V Ohio football, so he has seldom faced Power-4 speed on the edge. His footwork and hand timing against counter moves need live SEC/ACC-level reps before he can hold up long term at tackle.
• Body composition: he gained about 35-60 lb quickly, so Miami's strength staff needs to keep that weight functional and preserve his lateral movement, especially if he moves back outside to tackle.

College Projection

Miami is following Mario Cristobal's usual plan for young linemen: start them at guard, then move them to their long-term spot. As of late August 2026, Congdon was taking first-team reps at left guard alongside or in competition with Jackson Cantwell, and he is expected to play significant snaps as a true freshman. Realistic timeline: rotational or starting guard in 2026, a full-time starter by 2027, and a possible move to right or left tackle in 2027-28 once his pass-protection pad level catches up with his frame. Coaches Cristobal and Alex Mirabal have a strong track record of developing big-framed linemen, which supports this path.

NFL Outlook

Congdon has legitimate Day 2 upside if he develops into a multi-year starter at Power-4 tackle. NFL teams value 6-8/320-plus linemen with wrestling backgrounds who can finish run blocks, and experience at both guard and tackle adds to his draft value. His draft stock depends on fixing his pass-protection leverage. If his pad level stays high, his NFL projection is closer to a swing tackle or a big guard (Day 3). If he masters sinking his hips, he projects as a starting right tackle in the NFL. He will likely be draft-eligible after the 2028 season, with 2029-30 the more realistic window.

Best Fit

A pro-style, gap- and duo-heavy power run offense where he can drive defenders off the ball, with an offensive line staff known for developing tall linemen. That profile fits Miami under Cristobal and Mirabal. Starting him at guard lets him play with strength in a phone booth while his pass protection develops, before he moves outside to tackle.