Jarvis Strickland

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-6, 294 lbs. Taller than 42% and heavier than 51% of 2026 Offensive Tackle prospects in the SEC Scouts database (182 with a listed size).

Play Style

Strickland profiles as a movement-based tackle rather than a mauler. His highlight profile shows a lineman who wins with length and foot quickness: he gets depth in his kick-slide, mirrors wider rushers, and has the range to reach-block and climb to the second level in a zone scheme. At the high school level he could overwhelm defenders with size. At the college level the job is turning that length into consistent strike power and a sturdier anchor, so his technique matches his tools.

Strengths

• Tackle-grade length and frame (6-5/6-6, ~295) that holds up at the Power Four level, with room to grow to 310-315 without losing agility
• Quick, light feet for his size. Evaluators credit him with good feet and quickness, which shows up in his pass-set depth and his range when reaching and climbing in the run game
• Pro-level interest in his recruitment: offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, UNC, Indiana, Maryland and Georgia Tech point to a broad, high-level consensus beyond just in-state programs
• Positional flexibility. ESPN's guard listing and his tackle frame give Louisville a lineman who can back up both spots while he develops
• Highly ranked by every service: 4-star, No. 356 overall / No. 28 OT / No. 2 in KY in the Rivals/On3 Industry ranking, and a Top247 tackle with a 0.8916 composite

Areas to Improve

• Play strength and anchor. Evaluators specifically note he needs to add strength and more athleticism once on campus, so a full year in a college strength program is likely before he can hold up against Power Four bull rushers
• Level of competition. Kentucky high school football, even at a program that produces FBS players like Tilghman, rarely showed him SEC/ACC-caliber edge rushers. His hand timing, placement and recovery against speed-to-power will need refinement
• Consistent pad level and leverage, which is common for a 6-6 high school lineman who could win on size alone. Keeping his hips low through contact is the main technical focus

College Projection

He is a true freshman at Louisville in 2026. Preseason coverage projected him as a two-deep candidate early and a future starting tackle. The most likely path is a 2026 redshirt (the four-game rule allows limited reps) while he spends a full year in the strength program, then competes for a swing/backup tackle role in 2027 and a starting job at LT or RT by 2028. The guard floor gives Louisville an earlier way to get him on the field if tackle depth is set.

NFL Outlook

He is a mid-tier 4-star (composite 0.8916) with the frame and feet NFL scouts look for in tackles, so the ceiling is real but depends on development. If he adds 15-20 pounds of functional mass and becomes a multi-year starter at tackle, he fits the Day 2-3 draft range as a length-and-feet swing tackle. If his strength plateaus, his pro projection likely moves inside to guard, or he tops out as a quality multi-year college starter. Draft consideration realistically starts around the 2029-2030 window.

Best Fit

A zone-heavy or spread offense that asks tackles to pass protect in space and reach-block, which plays to his feet and length, paired with a patient development staff and a strong strength-and-conditioning program. Louisville under Jeff Brohm, with Vince Marrow, who built the relationship during his UK recruitment, is a strong fit on both scheme and trust. He called trust in the staff a main reason for his commitment.