Studious Scharping is ahead of the curve
One year ago, Texans rookie Max Scharping was a senior honor roll student and standout football player plying his trade in a small college town.
It’s been a major leap from his days at Northern Illinois in Dekalb, Ill., population: 43,862.
From excelling in the Mid American Conference as an allconference selection and graduating with a 3.99 grade point average, the Wisconsin native now is the Texans’ starting left offensive guard.
There’s been a heavy learning curve for Scharping, who’s adapting well to the rigors of the NFL.
“I don’t think it’s easy to play left guard as a rookie when you’re blocking grown men,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “It’s a little bit different than Northern Illinois, and I love Northern Illinois, but slightly different. So I think it’s hard to come into this league and play on the inside like that. I think he has worked hard to get better every week.”
Scharping has displayed improvement throughout the season. Since being installed at left guard against the Los Angeles Chargers when fellow rookie and first-round draft pick Tytus Howard was shifted to right tackle, Scharping has started 13 games.
Flanked by Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and Pro Bowl alternate center Nick Martin, Scharping has done a solid job of protecting quarterback Deshaun Watson. He has allowed just three sacks overall with six penalties, allowing two sacks in a 41-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
His run-blocking for running backs Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson hasn’t graded out nearly as highly as his pass blocking. The second-round draft pick has an overall 56.4 blocking grade with a 71.4 pass-blocking mark and a 49.5 run-blocking grade, according to the analytics-based website Pro Football Focus.
“I always feel like when I’m in there, I’ve got to play to the best of my abilities because you’re protecting Deshaun and Carlos and Duke,” Scharping said. “Every time you’re out there, we have one of the most important jobs because other people can get hurt if we don’t do it, so you always try to do your best.”
Scharping draws high marks for his work ethic, intellect and versatility. He’s capable of playing every position across the line, including center.
At 6-6, 327 pounds, Scharping is a natural tackle who has to work to keep his shoulder pads low enough to create leverage as a taller lineman.
“I think he’s definitely one of those guys that’s a five-tool player,” O’Brien said. “I think he can play center. I think guard is his best spot, but I think in a pinch, he can play tackle for us and he can play center. He trains at center in pre-practice, and we used him at a lot of different places in training camp. So, yeah, I think he’s got a skillset based on his size and his athletic ability and his strength that he can pay different positions.
“Max works very hard, works hard in the weight room, works hard to improve, very coachable. You’re really looking for coachable guys. He takes the coaching to heart. He tries to get better every week, and I do think you’re right, I think he’s improved.”
Scharping asks a lot of questions and has a humble, low-key personality. He’s drawn a few good-natured nicknames from the veterans, including “Cyborg” and “Robot” because of his somewhat mechanical, no-frills style of play and movement skills.
“He’s awesome,” Martin said. “He’s smart. That’s the biggest thing. He’s been getting better like we all try to do every day.”
Scharping drew his highest PFF grade of the season during a win last Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 77.6 overall grade with a 77.9 pass blocking grade and a 73.9 run blocking grade.
One of the reasons the Texans drafted Scharping in the second round was his intellect.
Signed to a $5.068 million contract that includes a $1.705 million signing bonus, the 55th overall pick of the draft was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy for his academic and football accomplishments.
Scharping has learned a lot from the older players and offensive line coach Mike Devlin.
“I think just the communication with L.T. and Nick has gotten better throughout the year, learning what each other thinks, what they’re looking at and helping me to understand what I should be look at,” Scharping said. “There’s a lot of aspects to it.”
He’s learned a lot since the Texans drafted him in April. Now, Scharping is preparing for playoffs with the AFC South champions.
“I think the guys around me help me a lot,” Scharping said. “L.T. making the Pro Bowl, anytime you have a Pro Bowler next to you, it helps out a lot. Nick has been great in the meeting rooms, practice field, game reps. Both of them have been very good to work next to. We’ve all been working hard.”
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