Fernando Carmona, OT, Arkansas
Size:
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 315 lbs
Accomplishments:
All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2023)
“Fernando Carmona is a high-effort player who has an opportunity to develop into a position-versatile offensive lineman with the right development.”
Strengths:
Positional versatility
High motor/effort
Physical temperament
Concerns:
Lateral agility
Reactionary athleticism
Balance/body control
Improve hand usage and counters
Film Analysis:
Fernando Carmona transferred from San Jose State to Arkansas for the 2024 season. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, Carmona has a frame that leans toward him not only playing OT but IOL as well, providing valuable versatility. Carmona is a high-effort player who will give valuable reps along the offensive line in both the run game and pass protection.
In the run game, Carmona's physical temperament shows in how willing and active he is to make initial contact with defenders to make a block. Carmona has foot quickness and comes off the football and will collide with defenders using his weight to attempt to move defenders. On runs where he has to climb to the second level, Carmona has enough athleticism to be able to make contact with second-level defenders and open a hole for ball-carriers.
In pass pro, Carmona uses quick steps to get depth in his pass set. This allows Carmona to block defenders who are trying to rush around the edge to get to the quarterback. Carmona has an aggressive temperament and seeks to make contact with defenders with either his hands or collision them and then turn and run with them around the arc.
Carmona has a few necessary improvements as a player. First, he can be overaggressive, which leads to him leaning into defenders and becoming a waist-bender. This also leads to balance and body control issues which prevent him from being able to sustain a block. This shows in both the run game and pass protection, being easily shed by defenders. Carmona loses reps because of how much he struggles to maintain a good base/foundation and not lunge into defenders. Carmona also appears to struggle with his lateral agility and reactionary athleticism in pass protection. In pass protection, Carmona struggles to stay in front of defenders on counter moves who utilize outside-to-inside rush counters or spin moves.
Overall, Carmona is a prospect who has positive reps at OT but ultimately he may benefit from making the transition to IOL while he continues to develop important parts of his game.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: USC (2023), UNLV (2023), Air Force (2023), Fresno State (2023)
