Who Are the Shortest Centers in the NFL? (2023-24)
I’ve been a Sports Performance Coach for twenty years and I’ve always found it impactful to show the Centers I coached the sizes of NFL players at their position. This has proven over the years to be motivational for players needing to add size and sometimes served as a harsh reality check.
I did the same research this season that I do every year. I poured through the 53-man active rosters for the 2023 NFL season, immediately following the final preseason cuts, a total of nearly 1700 players and broke them down by position.
By popular demand, I have put together this guide focusing on the NFL’s shortest Centers. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
The Shortest NFL Centers
In the NFL, where the typical center stands about 6’3 3/4″ tall, there is a notable subset of players who defy the standard with their shorter stature. These centers, all 6’2″ or shorter, prove that height is not the definitive factor in achieving success in this critical role.
Even though these centers are slightly shorter than the average for their position, they possess exceptional agility, quick footwork, and a lower center of gravity. These attributes are crucial for a center, enabling them to efficiently handle swift exchanges, provide reliable pass protection, and maintain stability against powerful defensive adversaries.
Closely following this group is another set of centers who are 6’3″ tall. While they are an inch taller, they still fall below the average height for the position (although just barely).
Both of these groups will be highlighted in the two lists below. First, let’s take a close look at the 6 shortest Centers.
Nick Harris
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 293 lbs
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- College: Washington
- Draft: 5th round, 2020 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 4 years
Aaron Brewer
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 295 lbs
- Team: Tennessee Titans
- College: Texas State-San Marcos
- Draft: Undrafted in 2019
- Years in NFL: 5 years
Doug Kramer
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 300 lbs
- Team: Chicago Bears
- College: Illinois
- Draft: 6th round, 2022 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 2 years
Brian Allen
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 303 lbs
- Team: Los Angeles Rams
- College: Michigan State
- Draft: 4th round, 2018 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Tyler Linderbaum
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 305 lbs
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- College: Iowa
- Draft: 1st round, 2022 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 2 years
Olu Oluwatimi
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 309 lbs
- Team: Seattle Seahawks
- College: Michigan
- Draft: 5th round, 2023 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: Rookie
6’3″ Centers
Here is that next tier of Centers, slightly taller, all listed at 6’3″.
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Jason Kelce | Eagles |
| Garrett Bradbury | Vikings |
| David Andrews | Patriots |
| Corey Linsley | Chargers |
| Luke Wypler | Browns |
| Cam Jurgens | Eagles |
| Drew Dalman | Falcons |
| Tyler Shatley | Jaguars |
| Jake Andrews | Patriots |
| Juice Scruggs | Texans |
| Cody Whitehair | Bears |
| Quinn Meinerz | Broncos |
| Evan Brown | Seahawks |
Final Thoughts
This article on the shortest NFL Centers highlights that while there’s a small range in height among these players, with the shortest being around 6’1″ – 6’2″, height alone doesn’t guarantee success. These centers prove that skills like technique, agility, and football intelligence are crucial.
The success of players like Jason Kelce and Evan Brown demonstrates that in football, effectiveness at one’s position often outweighs physical measurements. This serves as a reminder that in the NFL, performance is defined by a combination of factors, with height being just one piece of the puzzle.
