Texas Football: Derek Kerstetter Graded as Top Returning Power-5 Pass Blocker
By Shane Black
Senior Texas football OL Derek Kerstetter was graded as the highest returning Power-5 pass blocker, something we hope translates to 2020.
Pro Football Focus, an analytical website that dives deep under the surface of what the average fan can see, has rated rising senior Texas football OL Derek Kerstetter as the top returning Power-5 offensive linemen when it comes to pass blocking. Kerstetter received a grade of 91.6, 0.5 points higher than Oregon’s Penei Sewell who is an expected top-ten pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Kerstetter, a true senior, has appeared in 37 games with 28 starts over his three seasons on the Forty Acres. The San Antonio product has been a very versatile piece for Tom Herman on the offensive line. Though he has spent most of his time at right tackle, Kerstetter has seen action at all spots across the line.
That versatility has paid dividends as he will all but likely be the starting center for the 2020 Texas Longhorns with Zach Shackelford gone after holding down the position for the previous three campaigns.
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The offensive line play, particularly in the passing game, as been very up and down over the Tom Herman era. According to NCAA.com, the Longhorns have given up an average of 2.43 sacks per game over the past three seasons. That put them at 103rd, 50th, and 111th, nationally, in each of Herman’s first three seasons.
With the health of Sam Ehlinger being a main key to Texas success in 2020 the offensive line must kept him upright. It is a good sight to see Kerstetter sit atop this list, though he must continue to perform well at the center position.
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With two key contributors from the 2019 offensive line now gone, it will be up to veterans like Kerstetter and left tackle Samuel Cosmi to pick up the slack. More good news for Longhorn fans? Cosmi had a pass blocking grade of 86.0 from PFF making he and Kerstetter the only returning Power-5 duo with grades above a 85.0.