When a coaching staff at Ohio State says”…best ever…”, you have to pay extra attention. That, among other compliments, is voiced when talking about fifth-year senior Billy Price in comparison to the other interior blockers they have ever been around. He hasn’t missed a start since winning the job at guard in 2014, and his career total is already over 50. The All-American made the move to center and is responsible for all of the line calls in addition to rarely receiving help from either side. He is likely going to be the first center taken, but some teams may view him as a guard, as he projects equally to both spots.
What He Does Well:
Price is much more than an intangibles guy. His play on the field shows dominant traits when it comes to run blocking. He has the power from the base on up to move defenders with his legs. His initial punch is enough to stifle a defender off the snap to a point where he can’t recover or react quickly enough. He has enough speed, body control, and short area burst to pull from his center position and lead the way on outside runs. He is comfortable in space and a bull in traffic. Being built low to the ground with such easy knee-bend flexibility makes him often the low man in his engagements.
Where He Needs Work:
Price will lose track of his foot positioning too often. While he is athletic enough, it doesn’t always show up. He gets top heavy, being overly reliant on his hands which easily throws him off balance. In addition, Price will be slow to his left and right, overlooking the need to shift his feet and again, being too reliant on his hands. Price may be a liability in pass protection against the quicker, change of-direction dependent defenders. He spends too much time on the ground for a guy who plays in the middle.