Skyler Spetter Scouting Report | Butler OT | 2023 NFL Draft
Player Bio
Growing up on a farm in Bargersville, Indiana, Skyler Spetter developed a hard-nosed work ethic that would transform him from a one-year varsity starter in high school to a multi-time Pioneer Football League (PFL) First-Team Right Tackle at Butler University.
Spetter’s journey to the 2023 NFL Draft began at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana.
For most of Spetter’s high school career, he served as a rotational lineman, seeing limited snaps at the varsity level during his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, Spetter became a valuable piece on Center Grove’s offensive line, starting in 12 contests at Right Tackle for the 6-6 Trojans. Spetter served as a team captain, earned Indiana Region 8 all-star honors, and received all-state academic recognition after the season.
Spetter’s performance on the season helped him garner interest from a handful of FCS and Division II programs, including Morehead State, Marian University, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, and the University of Indianapolis. Shortly before National Signing Day, Spetter received an opportunity to continue his football career at Butler University and committed on the spot. In February 2018, Spetter signed his letter of intent to play for Butler and Head Coach Jeff Voris.
In 2018, Spetter would use his first season at Butler as a redshirt year to maintain an extra year of eligibility during his collegiate career.
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Spetter made a massive impact on Butler’s offensive line, appearing in 12 games and making seven starts at Right Tackle. For his performance on the season, Spetter earned all-PFL honorable mention recognition for the first time in his career.
Although the Coronavirus Pandemic shortened Butler’s 2020 season to only six games, Spetter made the most of his opportunities during his redshirt sophomore season. Starting in all six games at Right Tackle, Spetter earned Butler’s Battle of the Trenches Award – given to the Bulldogs’ top offensive lineman – and received All-Pioneer League Second Team honors.
During the 2021 season, Spetter started 11 games and led an offensive line unit that helped the Bulldogs finish with the second-ranked rushing attack in the PFL. Once again, Spetter played well enough to receive all-PFL honorable mention recognition after the season.
In his final season in 2022, Spetter had the best overall performance of his collegiate career, helping the Bulldogs accumulate a 7-4 season and finish the season with the third-ranked total offense in the PFL. Spetter eaened All-PFL First-Team honors for the first time in his career, marking his fourth-straight season as an All-PFL performer.
Over his five-year career at Butler, Spetter started in 32 games at Right Tackle and cemented his place as one of the best offensive linemen in program history.
Scouting Report
At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, Skyler Spetter is an intriguing Right Tackle prospect with decent height/weight measurables, proficient length, fluid mobility, high-level toughness, and sudden body/foot quickness.
In comparison to other offensive tackle prospects in the 2023 class, Spetter leaves more to be desired from a size standpoint. Though he boasts an athletic build and a massive, explosive lower half, Spetter has substantial height and below-average weight for an NFL RT. Entering college at 270 pounds and leaving at 305 pounds, Spetter has proven the ability to add large amounts of mass to his frame in a short time span. Due to his positive growth potential, scouts should judge Spetter as an unfinished product in the size department.
Spetter’s most valuable quality in his football profile is his productivity as a pass blocker and run blocker.
As a pass blocker, Spetter uses his flexible lower half to establish a solid pass set. Spetter boasts a quick kick step and uses his proficient length and strong use of hands to mirror pass rushers on the edge. With quick footwork and a strong base, Spetter has shown the ability to anchor against speedier EDGE rushers. However, Spetter displays a tendency to play too high out of his pass set, leaving him susceptible to the bull rush against powerful EDGE defenders. Still, Spetter is difficult to beat around the edge, given his foot quickness, length, play strength, and punch-and-replace technique.
As a run blocker, Spetter uses his flexible and explosive lower half to fire out of his stance and unlock his hips efficiently. Spetter plays with great pad level and possesses solid ankle and knee bend, enabling him to win the leverage battle at the line of scrimmage. To go along with his flexible and explosive lower half, Spetter also possesses high overall toughness and a mean streak that allows him to finish blocks with force. Spetter operates with a road-grader mentality, dominating defensive linemen at the point of attack and playing through the whistle on every snap.
Spetter’s lower-body fluidity, high motor, and athletic ability allow him to climb to the second level easily. When he reaches the second level, Spetter holds his blocks well and always looks for extra work down the field. Spetter’s sufficient speed, lateral movement, and change of direction along the line of scrimmage allow him to execute pulls and deliver some key blocks on zone-blocking concepts.
Spetter’s mental instincts and intelligence are an underappreciated aspect of his game. His sharp mind – in conjunction with his physical and athletic skill set – provides him the versatility to slide over to the guard spot and hold his own against interior defensive linemen. His mental makeup and position versatility across the offensive line add more intrigue to Spetter’s already-exciting football profile.
Though his size and lack of FBS playing experience might draw criticism from NFL scouts, Spetter has the athletic upside, lower-body explosiveness, body quickness, mental acumen, and position versatility to warrant a selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Whether Spetter is selected in the draft or winds up as an undrafted free agent, he should be a notable name at the start of training camp in late July.
Draft Projection
Early 7th-Priority Undrafted Free Agent
