Like grandfather, like grandson.
The surname “Skoronski” might ring a bell in the minds of the more seasoned Packers faithful. Hearken back to the glory days of the late 1950s and early 1960s when Bob Skoronski played left tackle on 5 Green Bay championship teams led by the revered Vince Lombardi himself.
Peter Skoronski, left tackle out of Northwestern and soon to be high NFL draft pick, is the grandson of the Packers hall of famer, and could very well find himself donning the green and gold just like his granddad.
Skoronski attended Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, and excelled at football there, winning awards while playing center for Maine South High. Skoronski had his choice of colleges as a highly touted four star recruit and high school All-American, but ultimately decided to stay in-state, attending Northwestern University in Chicago.
Skoronski was plugged right into the starting lineup at Northwestern, playing 9 games at left tackle even though he had been a center in highschool. Despite switching positions and overcoming the inevitable inexperience that comes with being a freshman, Skoronski impressed, eventually being named 2nd team All-Big 10 and a True Freshman All-American by 24/7 Sports.
Skoronski never left the tackle position for the remainder of his collegiate career, starting all 12 games in each of his final two seasons. Across 2381 snaps at left tackle in his three years playing for the Wildcats, Skoronski allowed only 5 sacks and 23 pressures, including only three total QB pressures in his junior and final season.
Skoronski was named first team All-Big 10 in each of his sophomore and junior seasons and was unanimously chosen as an All-American after his junior year. Skoronski also posted the highest PFF pass-blocking grade of any offensive lineman for the year with a nearly perfect 93.0 grade and was named the Rimington-Pace Big 10 Offensive Lineman of the year, the first to win that prestigious award in Northwestern history.
While Skoronski may not have turned any heads at the 2023 NFL Scouting combine, he didn’t disappoint either, posting a solid 5.16 40 yard dash and 30 bench press reps while turning in an 8.65 Relative Athletic Score.
Standing at 6’4” and 313 pounds, Skoronski is solidly built. However, there are doubts about whether the former Wildcat is tall or long enough to remain at left tackle at the next level. Fortunately for Skoronski, his experience on the inside of the line will prove extremely valuable for NFL teams like the Packers, who value versatility above all in their offensive linemen.
“Teams have just kinda asked me where I see myself. I said that I’m a tackle, I play tackle, but am more than willing to play anywhere,” Skoronski told the media at the combine. “Teams talk about versatility for sure, too. If they move me to guard I’m happy to do that.”
“Teams have just kinda asked me where I see myself. I said that I’m a tackle, I play tackle, but am more than willing to play anywhere… If they move me to guard I’m happy to do that.”
-Peter Skoronski
Although his short arm measurements for an offensive tackle coupled with his height work against his draft stock, Skoronski firmly believes his mastery of footwork and technique have and can help him overcome any physical limitations.
“You win blocks with your feet, really. That’s always been my philosophy,” Skoronski said. “At the end of the day there’s nothing I can do about my arm length. I can’t just sit here and complain about it. Not that it really matters anyways. There’s plenty of more important things in terms of being a good offensive lineman.”
“At the end of the day there’s nothing I can do about my arm length. I can’t just sit here and complain about it. Not that it really matters anyways. There’s plenty of more important things in terms of being a good offensive lineman.”
-Peter Skoronski
While Brian Gutekunst has never spent a first round pick on an offensive lineman throughout his tenure in Green Bay, a weakened and aging unit may force his hand. Peter Skoronski has the Packers bloodlines, and the versatility Gutekunst looks for in offensive linemen to boot.
Thank you all for reading these draft profiles. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing about each and every one of these prospects for your reading pleasure. Another year of pre-draft hype is in the books. It is finally time for the 2023 NFL Draft to begin.
