When you observe Armand Membou move, it is surprising to recall that he is relatively new to football. Currently, the Missouri right tackle is one of the most desired blockers in this year’s draft. His journey to this point has been marked by significant physical development.
Membou candidly shared his beginnings in the sport during the combine, admitting he started playing football in the eighth grade after initially engaging in soccer, tennis, and wrestling. “I was trash,” Membou confessed. “I didn’t get good until, like, my junior year; that’s when I hit a growth spurt. And then, you know, I started kind of getting better.”
The growth spurt that Membou refers to saw him increase from 5 feet 11 inches and 185 pounds to approximately 6 feet 2 inches and 270 pounds. This change ahead of his junior year significantly increased the attention he received from scouts.
Reflecting on his newfound prowess, Membou recalled a pivotal conversation with his high school head coach, Jamar Mozee, who encouraged him to consider a professional future in football. “He helped me a lot because, at first, I was terrible at football. Then he brought out the nasty and what it takes being an O-lineman. So I really owe him a lot.”
Despite some opinions that his 6-foot-3 stature might be somewhat short for an NFL tackle, Membou’s ability to move effectively at 332 pounds compensates for this. He was featured on The Athletic’s “Freaks” list in 2023 for his outstanding physical test results, including a 32-inch vertical leap, a 1.63-second 10-yard split, and a 600-pound squat.
At Missouri, Membou became a reliable three-year starter, facing some of the best pass-rushers in the SEC and earning All-Conference recognition in the previous season. Remarkably, he did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit in 411 pass-blocking snaps last season.
His impressive athleticism was further evidenced at the combine, where he recorded a 4.91-second 40-yard dash, a 34-inch vertical, and a broad jump of 9 feet 7 inches at 332 pounds, along with 31 bench reps at 225 pounds.
His performance has drawn widespread attention and after a slow start in football, Membou is optimistic about the future. “Oh, it’s going to be pretty crazy,” he said about the prospect of being drafted. “At the same time for me it’s just the beginning. So I’m just excited to get to work with whatever team that drafts me.”
