In a class loaded with offensive line talent, Christian Haynes stands out as one with tremendous upside and plenty of starting tape heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Where did Haynes dominate in college, and how did his football journey even begin?
Where Did Christian Haynes’ Football Career Start?
Haynes was born in Bowie, Md., on April 13, 2000. The 24-year-old lineman went to Bowie High School and was a two-star prospect.
Haynes was the 49th-best player out of Maryland and the 216th overall offensive lineman of the 2018 recruiting class.
Revisiting Haynes’ College Career
Choosing between Virginia and UConn, Haynes ultimately committed to play for the Huskies and was with the program from 2018 to 2023.
After playing in just two games and redshirting in 2018, Haynes started 49 consecutive games for the Huskies between 2019 and his final season.
While some analysts may be concerned about Haynes’ age coming into the NFL Draft, UConn’s 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, so he played in every game for the final three years of his college career.
In 2023, Haynes helped anchor a line that finished ninth in college football in sacks given up during the season.
Agree with @jimnagy_SB, exactly what any @NFL organization is looking for, from the player to the person @C_Haynes70 is as good as I've ever been around. https://t.co/UNvk5ib3Et
— Jim Mora (@CoachJimMoraFB) April 7, 2024
His ability as a player and his upside make Haynes someone many draft experts believe could bring plenty of depth to any NFL organization.
Haynes’ Prospect’s Potential in the NFL
Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings has broken down the tape on Haynes and sees him as a top player in the current draft class.
To Cummings, Haynes is a borderline first-round pick who has seen his stock soar thanks to strong performances at the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl.
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Christian Haynes
“Haynes functions as a high-floor pass blocker with good anchor timing, placement, and awareness. Meanwhile, in the run game, he has versatility across gap and zone variations, and his verified mauler mentality makes him a tone-setter and a brutal finisher in space,” Cummings said.
“As a sixth-year senior, Haynes may be an older rookie, but he has the traits to make a Day 1 impact, and the runway toward being an impact two-phase starter shouldn’t be a long one.”
As a complete prospect with plenty of tape, Haynes could be one of the true sleepers of the draft.
Highlights, Records, and More
While most UConn prospects aren’t usually regarded in national awards, Haynes was the exception in 2023.
In College Football Network’s postseason awards, Haynes was named a third-team All-American. He was also named a first-team member of the All-Independent team by CFN.
National award centers have agreed with CFN’s ruling. Haynes was named to the All-American Third Team in both 2022 and 2023.
With plenty of accolades following him and plenty of teams interested, Haynes should hear his name called relatively early next week.
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