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Charles

Charles (6'4/301) overshot expectations in becoming a three-year starter for LSU — protecting Joe Burrow’s blindside in his last two years in college — after being used on the defensive line until his senior year of high school. Efficient in his movements, the former four-star recruit is still laden with off-field red flags including multiple failed drug tests and a history of unreliable behavior, which led to his six-game suspension for violating a number of team rules during the Tigers’ National Championship run. An anonymous scout was quoted as saying,"I wish you could trust him, but you can’t.” That alone could land Charles as a Day 3 selection.

Charles (6'4/321) ran the third-fastest 40-yard dash in the first group of offensive linemen, trailing only BSU’s Ezra Cleveland (4.93 seconds) and Auburn’s Jack Driscoll (5.02 seconds). Looking beyond the sharp time, his interviews in Indianapolis figure to be key to his evaluation moving forward. Charles was suspended for six games during the 2019 campaign.

Charles (6'4/321) is one of four offensive linemen who have decided to lift only at their respective schools’ pro days. While he performed well when available to play, the former LSU offensive lineman was also suspended for six games this past season. Plenty athletic for the position, Charles at times plays over his toes and thus runs the risk of being yanked off-balance by pass rushers according to NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein.

While Charles still won’t divulge what exactly got him suspended, he did stress that he is trying to put that “mistake” behind him. Charles vaguely explained that many teams ask him first about his off-field and maturity before easing into football questions. Later on, Charles mentions that the things that led up to his suspension are “not part of (my) life anymore.” Hopefully Charles was given every opportunity to allow teams to understand his situation.

At 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, Charles is a touch on the lighter side for offensive tackles, but according to Zierlein, he at least moves as well as you would expect of a player like that. Zierlein’s report is littered with notes of “quick feet” and “smooth” movements, all of which lend to Charles being a good bookend. However, strength and anchor could be an issue for Charles, as Zierlein notes, and he may need some time to bulk up in the NFL before stepping into a starting role.

LSU’s left tackle was one of seven Tigers who defected to the pros with eligibility remaining in the days after confetti rained from the rooftop Monday night in New Orleans. ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks him as the No. 9 tackle available in the 2020 class. The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs is a bit more pessimistic, ranking Charles No. 217 overall -- Day 3 flier range. Charles’ game may behoove a move inside at the next level.

Charles (6'4/295) has missed six games this season due to what HC Ed Orgeron has described as “coach’s decisions.” The junior left tackle has apparently done enough to ensure that he’ll be able to play against Texas A&M, and his return means that Adrian Magee will shift back in to left guard. Magee filled in for Charles at left tackle each of the last two games.

While Charles (6'4/295) has been on the field for LSU’s biggest games of the season, he has been sidelined at various points for what HC Ed Orgeron described as “coach’s decisions.” Apparently the junior left tackle, who started vs. Alabama, will not be available to play when the Tigers visit Ole Miss. Adrian Magee, who started at left guard this past weekend, is expected to move into the left tackle role with Ed Ingram starting at left guard.

Due to injuries Charles (6'4/295) has only appeared in three games this season. But it appears that he’ll be ready to make his return on Saturday, as the junior left tackle was available for the Mississippi State game but did not play. With Charles, who did play in the Tigers’ Oct. 12 win over Florida, unavailable LSU turned to Dare Rosenthal at left tackle.

With Charles (6'4/295) being less than 100%, there was little reason for LSU to risk the junior left tackle in a game it should win comfortably. As a result of his absence, redshirt freshman Dare Rosenthal made his first start as an LSU Tiger.