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Name: Eric Douglas
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight: 6’4" / 285 lbs.
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Rating: Rivals, ESPN, 247: Three star
A consensus top-30 recruit from North Carolina, Douglas was a Shrine Bowl participant who drew heavy recruitment — especially from the northeast. Douglas drew offers from Penn State, Maryland, ECU as well as Cal, Clemson and Kentucky. Douglas was an integral part of Mallard Creek’s 9-3 season in one of North Carolina’s toughest conferences: MeCKa 4A. Douglas committed to South Carolina on April 2 even after visiting Penn State on March 28.
Strengths: Douglas is a violent run blocker who attacks defenders at both levels and finishes blocks with authority — making a point to put defenders on their back. Is a versatile player, playing both tackle and guard on both sides. Has good hand placement in both running and passing situations. Douglas has good foot work in passing situations as well and doesn’t get beat often outside by speedy edge rushers. Despite his frame he does well getting up to the second level and moving out in space on screens.
Weaknesses: Douglas is listed as an offensive tackle, but has the frame is built more like an offensive guard — which is where he may ultimately wind up playing due to the depth at tackle right now for South Carolina. Doesn’t have the ideal wingspan to play tackle on the college level and from the film it didn’t appear he faced very skilled edge rushers while in high school. Struggles with his balance in pass protection when he did get a strong punch from bull rushers.
Overall: Considering South Carolina only graduated one offensive lineman last year, Douglas will most likely have to redshirt as he’s very much a developmental prospect on the college level. As previously mentioned, his destiny may reside at guard so he can best use his abilities as a run blocker and mask some pass protection deficiencies. We may not see Douglas against for another two or three years, but he has the tools to be a productive starter once he’s had the time to develop.