Background
Sam Hecht attended Mill Valley High School in Shawnee, Kansas, where he earned first-team all-state honors as both a junior and senior while helping lead his team to back-to-back Class 5A state championships. Despite the accolades, he was unranked as a recruit and joined Kansas State as a preferred walk-on in 2021 before eventually earning a scholarship in 2024. He redshirted his first year, then appeared in 42 games with 25 starts at center from 2022 through 2025. Anchoring a line that paved the way for one of the Big 12's best rushing attacks, he earned Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2024 and First-Team All-Big 12 in 2025. He did not allow a sack during his entire college career and committed only two penalties over his final two seasons, with zero as a senior. As a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist, he maintained a 4.0 GPA in construction science and management. He received an invitation to the Combine and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Physical Attributes
While this athletic testing does not look like anything amazing, I really like the tape Hecht has. His tree-trunk-like legs connect to a big butt, which helps him generate and anchor a lot of power. On the move, he looks smooth and keeps his power with him.
Data and Tape Analysis
If you are unfamiliar with my OL radar charts, you can find more information here
That is one very well-rounded radar chart for Hecht. No clear weaknesses anywhere here, and some clear strengths. After watching the tape, I have to agree; Hecht is one heck of a player.
I really like his work in the run game. Kansas State split their rushing attack with 149 snaps in zone and 192 in gap schemes. Usually a player shows a clear preference between one or the other, but he does all aspects of both pretty well. He stays connected and knows when to move upfield on an outside zone. Double teams destroy target number one, and he finds a way to the second level so quickly once he leaves the first block. Even without doubles, Hecht moves defenders, pushing back all comers. Add to that his ability to quickly ID who to block on pulls and when climbing to the second level, and you have a weapon in the run game.
In pass protection there is more good than bad, but I will say the bad first. Hecht has good lateral quickness, but not elite. Because of that he can miss out on getting to late blitzers or stunts if he IDs them late. Also, the only move I saw him succumb to was a pull slide, which happened twice, and it showcased how if you turned his hips, you could speed past him.
As for the good, that anchor of his is phenomenal. Hecht rarely gets pushed back, and if he does, it's at a glacial rate. He rarely gets caught out by late movements because his peripheral vision is great. Even if his lateral quickness is not the best, Hecht keeps his base under him at all times, never crossing his feet over or allowing himself to get off balance. His timing with his hands is more inconsistent, but once he places his hands, he stays engaged.
Grade and Outlook
Sam Hecht looks like a plug-and-play center. Obviously, center has one of the stepper learning curves in the NFL, but with how smart he is, I am sure he could figure it out quickly enough. His upper body strength might limit him a bit, but he looks like a player a team will be happy to give a second contract to.
Grade: 5.6 (Late 2nd Rounder / Early 3rd Rounder)
