12 Jul Preseason Scouting Notes: Alec Lindstrom, OL, Boston College
Redshirt Junior | 6’3”, 290 | Dudley, MA
A sturdy interior lineman with good intelligence, second level ability, and a finishing mentality
Overview:
Alec Lindstrom comes from a family of Boston hogs. His father and high school coach Chris was a Hall of Fame offensive lineman for Boston University and spent three seasons in the NFL. As if that was not enough, his older brother (also named Chris) was a four year starter at BC and the 2019 first round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons. As the starting center in Boston College’s pro-style offense, the younger Lindstrom has experience in both power and zone blocking schemes. He earned third team All-ACC in 2019 after starting all 13 games at center, and looks to improve upon that in the upcoming 2020 season.
Strengths:
– Good football intelligence. Makes pre-snap calls and adjustments for the O-line
– Second level ability. Can work up the field and make blocks in the open space
– Can pull and make blocks on the outer edges of the line
– Turns defenders in zone to create open lanes
– Can sustain blocks for the duration of the play with good grip strength
– Wants to finish his blocks all the way to the ground
– Looks for work in pass protection when uncovered
Areas to improve:
– Plays with a high pad level, giving up valuable leverage
– Doesn’t generate much drive and occupies defenders rather than pushing them around
– When he does punch, it tends to be inaccurate. Often he simply throws shoulders to begin the play
– Can get off balance and ends up on the ground more than necessary
– Hands drift to the defenders shoulders when pass blocking
– Drops the anchor late against power rushes, but can still stifle it nonetheless
Injury concerns:
– Missed all of 2017 with an undisclosed injury
Projection:
Lindstrom can find a spot on NFL rosters as a backup OL. His best fit will be in zone schemes where he can apply his instincts for walling off defenders. He can play in a power running scheme with his ability to pull, but the fit is not as good. He has only appeared at center for BC, but is athletic enough to play as a guard as well. Teams that favor a zone running scheme will circle him as a Day 3 guy.
What to watch in 2020:
The main thing for Lindstrom to improve on is his pad level and hands. Playing with a lower pad level will help him generate more drive off the ball, and a lower center of gravity could help him stay off the ground a bit more. Developing a more accurate punch with a strong impact will add more initial shock value to his blocks. In addition to his punch, working to keep his hands on the chest plate will give him more control throughout the course of the block. Fixing these aspects of his game can not only improve his quality of play, but increase NFL potential to more than just a backup interior man.
- Played 4 years of college football as a Defensive Tackle and Long Snapper at Division 3 Rhodes College.
- Experience in data collection/analysis/scouting for both Football and Baseball.
- Georgia native and firm believer that Georgia sports teams are cursed.