Tackle/guard | Kansas State | Redshirt senior

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 312 pounds

College Stats

2018: Started all 12 games at right tackle; named Associated Press Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big 12; Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year finalist

Career: Started 50 of 51 games played; a three-year team captain; earned First-Team all-conference honors in three consecutive seasons, only the fourth offensive lineman in Big 12 history to do so

Profile

Summary: After redshirting in 2014, Risner started 13 games at center in 2015 and earned Freshman All-America honors before moving to right tackle the following season.

In 2016, Risner helped the Wildcats average a school-record 5.27 yards per carry and rank third in program history in total rushing yards (3,013) and rushing yards per game (231.8). According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, Risner allowed just three quarterback pressures in 2017, the fewest among 2018 draft-eligible tackles.

Risner led a 2018 Kansas State offense that finished third in the Big 12 by averaging 182.6 rushing yards per game.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein called Risner an instinctive lineman who "defaults into proper mechanics and choices" and pointed out that he "plays wide and keeps blocks centered" and has "strong hands that can snatch and secure opponents." He opined that Risner would be a better fit moving inside to guard at the next level.

"He possesses average length and athletic ability, but with enough tape consumption, it becomes clear he has the necessary tools to get guys blocked on the NFL level," Zierlein said. "Risner is the same player on every snap with core strength, body control, and strong hands, allowing him to succeed on a relatively consistent basis. His position flexibility (started at right tackle and center) and play traits mirror those of former KSU standout Cody Whitehair. Risner will need to prove he can handle NFL edge speed, but a move inside could be a failsafe option for him."

Click **here** to read Risner's full profile on NFL.com.

Stacking up: NFL Media analyst **Bucky Brooks** did not include Risner in his top five positional rankings, but The Athletic's **Dane Brugler** assumed that Risner will shift inside and listed him as the third-best interior lineman in this year's class. Daniel Jeremiah ranked Risner 38th overall in his list of top 50 prospects heading into the 2019 NFL Draft but bumped him down to 40 in his **post-combine rankings**. Jeremiah expects Risner to stay at tackle.

"He is very aware [of] versus blitzes and stunts in the run game, using his upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders. He's also shown the ability to reach and seal from the back side. He will struggle to adjust in space at the second level. Overall, Risner has the tools to become a quality starting right tackle, and he adds value because of his experience at the center position during his redshirt freshman campaign."

Senior Bowl study session: Risner participated in the 2019 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and was asked about the experience by reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"The Senior Bowl is a grind," Risner said. "You get an opportunity to go down there and work for three, four days and learn a brand-new playbook and have a head coach and GM write down every move. You take a step with your right foot, and you see him write something down, and you're like, 'Did I step wrong? Did you like the way I stepped?'

"But it was a great experience," Risner added. "I wanted to go against this top [defensive line] talent that everyone's talking about – Montez Sweat from Mississippi State, [Jonathan] Ledbetter from Georgia – great football players, and be able to prove I can hold my own, if not more than that. I feel like that's what I did at the Senior Bowl."