Sam Hecht Turns Heads at Senior Bowl, Solidifies NFL Draft Stock
Kansas State’s Sam Hecht isn’t just climbing draft boards-he’s anchoring himself as one of the most reliable interior linemen in this year’s NFL Draft class. Coming off a strong Senior Bowl showing in Mobile, the veteran center is earning praise from scouts and analysts alike for the same traits that made him a staple in Manhattan: consistency, intelligence, and rock-solid fundamentals.
Let’s start with the basics: Hecht started 25 straight games for the Wildcats, a testament not just to his durability, but to the trust the coaching staff placed in him week after week. He earned All-Big 12 honors in back-to-back seasons-second-team in 2024, first-team in 2025-and was an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year last season. That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy in a conference known for producing gritty, pro-ready linemen.
At the Senior Bowl, Hecht didn’t just hold his own-he stood out. According to scouts on the ground, he was the most consistent offensive lineman throughout the week of practices.
In a setting where inconsistency often reigns and even top prospects can look shaky, Hecht’s steady hand at the pivot was a breath of fresh air. His tape matched the performance, too, which is exactly what NFL teams want to see: a player who doesn’t just flash in shorts and helmets, but brings the same level of play when it matters.
Hecht’s game is built on a sturdy foundation. He’s not the kind of lineman who’ll wow you with highlight-reel pancakes or freakish athleticism in space.
But what he lacks in flash, he makes up for in functional strength, awareness, and technique. As Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn put it, Hecht is “a thickly built, sturdy, and alert presence at the pivot.”
He’s not going to dominate with raw power, but he’s got the tools to hold his ground, sort through defensive movement, and keep the offense on schedule.
That’s exactly what he did at Kansas State. While the rushing attack struggled at times-partly due to injuries in the backfield, including Dylan Edwards’ early-season absence-Hecht and the offensive line did a solid job protecting quarterback Avery Johnson. That kind of pass protection consistency is no small thing in today’s game, where one or two injuries up front can derail an entire offense.
What’s clear is that Hecht has the makeup of a high-floor interior lineman. He might not be a Day 1 plug-and-play star, but he’s not a developmental project either. He’s the type of player who can earn a starting job early in his rookie contract, especially in a league where depth along the offensive line is a constant concern.
NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein didn’t hold back in his evaluation, tweeting that Hecht’s tape is “REALLY good”-emphasizing his strong hands, core strength, intelligence, and ability to consistently hit his landmarks and center up his blocks. “He’s not developmental, and he’s not a sleeper,” Zierlein added. “He’s a future starter.”
With projections placing him in the third or fourth round, Hecht is positioning himself as one of the safer bets in this year’s class of interior linemen. He’s not just a name to watch-he’s a name to remember come draft weekend in Pittsburgh.
For a league constantly searching for reliable depth up front, Sam Hecht might be exactly what teams need: a steady, smart, and battle-tested center who’s ready to step in and do the job.