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What Penn State's Vega Ioane Said Saturday at 2026 NFL Combine

The guard has been commonly projected to the Chargers and didn't allow a sack in his final season at Penn State 

VegaIoane

There hasn't been a more commonly player projected to the Chargers at this point of the offseason than Penn State guard Vega Ioane.

Just the most recent Chargers Mock Draft Tracker had five draft analysts pairing the 6-foot-4, 323-pound guard with the Bolts.

The consensus top guard prospect in this draft, Ioane talked about the goal he set out to Indianapolis with as he stepped up to the podium at the Combine.

"Just come out and show what I've been showing. I put a lot on film," Ioane said on Saturday. "I feel confident in myself and what I put on film. Just coming out and proving them right."

It's easy to see why Ioane is considered as one of the top offensive line prospects in this class.

Aside from his movement skills along the interior, he's coming off a final season at Penn State where he did not allow a single sack and only gave up four total pressures, good for a 1.3 percent pressure rate.

Not to mention, he's also a force in the run game as he continuously cleared the way for running backs at Penn State.

He talked about his mentality in the run game and how he approaches it.

"Just have to come out and be physical," he said. "That's the biggest part to it.

"Especially as a guard, you have to have to have that mentality of moving someone from point A to point B," he added.

Ioane talked about his development, noting the major steps he had to get through on his way to this point.

One of the biggest keys to his success? The preparation and work that goes into each and every week.

Ioane said getting prepared is one of the biggest things that has helped him play to this level.

"For me, part of my game is preparation," Ioane said. "My preparation starts Saturday night as soon as I'm done with a game.

"Start from then up until the next Saturday we're about to play a game," Ioane added." Biggest thing is watching a lot of keys that will help me."

Ioane has no doubt what he will bring to an offensive line wherever he is drafted.

"You're going to get a competitive player," Ioane said. "When I go out there on the field, I'm an entirely different person.

"You're going to get a competitive player out of me, an aggressive player," he added. "Mentality and being the most physical guy out there."

Here are some top quotes from offensive line prospects, listed in alphabetical order, who spoke Saturday.

Offensive Line

Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

On run blocking:

"We ran power counter, we're man blocked with linebackers. Just get out in space and knock somebody on their butt."

Connor Lew, Auburn

On cross-training at center and guard:

"As a center, you know what all five guys are doing. That part helps the cross-training aspect, but I have played a little bit of guard when I got there."

On what he learned about being a leader at Auburn:

"I was the center, I kind of stepped into that role. Being a center, you're the dude that everybody is looking to on offense, aside from the quarterback. I took that responsibility and just ran with it."

Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

On the feedback he's heard from teams:

"Really just keeping the weight in check, asking me what I need to fix, like the pad level, getting the hands inside, getting your feet into the ground. I have all the physical traits, I just need to go out there and execute and be consistent."

On if he think he can move to guard:

"I feel more comfortable at left tackle because that's where I've got all my snaps, but if I do need to move inside there's no problem with that. If I'm playing, then I'm happy."

Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

On the draft process:

"The most enjoyable about the process is living out your dreams. You train for this your whole life, you want to come here. You get to go out there and show what you're about. There's not really stressful parts about it, I love the whole process part about it and ready to go."

On changing schemes entering NFL:

"We sprinkled in a little bit here and there. I'll just show people how I move and they'll know."

Jake Slaughter, Florida

On why he could be a Day 1 starter:

"Something I really value in my game is communication. Center is a very mental and cerebral position so you got to learn, be able to communicate, able to make adjustments on the fly. I play my tail off for my guys."

On cross-training at center and guard:

"I wouldn't say it's the first time I've ever done it. I did it a little bit in college, a little bit in high school. We always had great depth at guard, needed a center and get better at playing center. I look forward to training more at guard, I've done it in training and getting ready for stuff like this. There's a lot of differences, the spacing is what hits me… getting out in space a little bit more, getting hands on guys. There's different body types you'll see at guard, not necessarily see in an A-gap. It's a lot of fun."

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