2025 NFL Draft interview: Purdue OL Marcus Mbow

WCG’s lead draft analyst speaks with one of the top offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft.

When you think about the top offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, Purdue’s Marcus Mbow is one of the first names that comes to mind.

A three-year starter in the Big Ten with tackle and guard experience, Mbow has proven against some of the best defenders in college football that he’s a top-tier blocker. He looks to carry his momentum from the 2024 season, the Senior Bowl, and the Combine over to the next level.

Windy City Gridiron spoke with Mbow about his versatility along the offensive line, battling with Nic Scourton in practice, his basketball background, and more.

JI: Looking back on your career at Purdue, what would you say is the best thing that you experienced during your time with the Boilermakers?

MM: Either winning the Music City Bowl against Tennessee, or going to the Big Ten championship.

JI: Purdue kicked you outside from right guard to right tackle in 2023. Can you speak to that transition and how you prepared going into that year?

MM: Yeah, it was smooth. I enjoyed the transition. It was a little adjustment, getting used to the pocket timing and your set point and all types of shit, like the pocket depths and whatnot, but yeah, it was good. I watched a lot of Trent Williams film when I first moved to tackle and tried to take as much as I could from his game. [Former Purdue edge rusher] Nic Scourton, we were going at it again daily in practice, so that helped a lot.

JI: What does it mean to you, battling with Nic in practicing all the time to now the two of you going through the same pre-draft process?

MM: It’s great, man. Nic’s my guy. That’s my brother. We definitely were iron sharpening iron daily. We got heated at times, but it was all brotherly competition, you know what I mean? He’s been great for me, and I feel like I’ve been great for him in this process. We trained together down at Exos before the Combine, and it’s been good to put in work with my guy.

JI: What were your experiences like at the Combine and the Senior Bowl?

MM: They were smooth. Building relationships really was probably the best part. Getting to meet all these players that I played against, seeing what they’re like outside the football field, it was just a good experience. The Senior Bowl was, it was pretty solid performance-wise. I was a little rusty at first; I hadn’t played a couple months. Otherwise, I feel like it was a good experience overall.

JI: I know there’s been speculation about what position on the offensive line you’ll play in the NFL. Does it seem like there’s a consensus about where teams want you to play, and is there a preference for where you’d want to end up?

MM: I wouldn’t say there’s really a consensus. A couple different teams have said different things. Nobody’s really sat down and told me, “hey, you’re going to be this, or you’re going to be that”, you know what I mean? Sometimes, they’ve asked me if I’ve played guard before. They’ve asked me if I can snap. Some teams want me at tackle. I know I can play pretty much all three. I feel good about the position, and I feel like I’m the best at tackle.

JI: From a pre-snap perspective, what are some of the first things you’re looking for to determine exactly how you want to approach each defender that you go up against?

MM: I’d probably start with alignment. Based on how wide or how tight the rusher is, [that] definitely determines the set, depending on down and distance, whether I’m in a vertical set or an angle set or whatnot. Looking at the film, especially throughout the week, knowing what kind of rushes they like to get to at what step, more times than not. I’m looking at the the D-tackle, as well, if he’s wide, if he’s in a 3-technique or 4i look, being alert for that, outside pressure. There’s a lot of things.

JI: How do you maintain that level of quickness, the speed, agility and all that while maintaining the frame that you have?

MM: I grew up playing basketball; that was a big help for me, I believe. I always wanted to be a skill guy and have the ball, point guard type shit. Going off of that, that kind of built the foundation, [and] being explosive in the weight room, trying to make sure things are controlled and moving well, rather than just trying to slap a bunch of weight on the bar. [I’m] trying to stay explosive and stay quick, working core, all types of things.

JI: If there’s an NBA player you could compare your game to playing basketball, who would you say you’re most like?

MM: In basketball? Probably [Nikola] Jokic. Maybe. I feel like I was a big centerpiece in our team when I was playing, in terms of distracting people down low, being able to dish it to wherever, whenever, and also being able to handle the rock.

JI: How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?

MM: I usually play video games, go out by the gun range. Those are really the two things that I do the most.

JI: What kind of games do you play?

MM: Rainbow Six Siege, 2K, NCAA.

JI: What was that like, seeing yourself in the game for the first time?

MM: I was definitely excited. It was definitely cool to be in the game. Definitely thought they cheated me on that overall a little bit (laughs).

JI: Fingers crossed that Madden does you better this year.

MM: Imagine how bad my shit is going to be as a rookie (laughs). They don’t play about that. It’s always been low [for rookies].

JI: Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?

MM: Off the field, you’ll be getting a great teammate. I try to be the best version of myself each day, try and help whoever’s around me, always lend a helping hand. On the field, you’ll be getting a savage. To keep it short and sweet: somebody who loves the game, loves the the respect that you have to put into it each week, and the art of it.