Here's a copy of the story I wrote.
Toledo looks at the NFL
By: Eric Taylor
04/17/2006
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Joe Toledo is about to find out if changing positions will improve his chances of making it in the NFL.
The University of Washington senior and former Ralston standout is hoping to hear his name called during the NFL Draft April 29-30 in New York.
Toledo, who moved from Ralston to California after his sophomore year, is rated as the 16th best offensive tackle prospect by both the Sporting News Draft Publication and Scout.com. Online mock drafts have Toledo being taken anywhere from the third through the seventh round.
"I have a good feeling I will get drafted, but the whole process is a crapshoot," Toledo said in a phone interview near his home north of San Diego. "You have guys that were supposed to be second-round picks and end up going in the fifth round and guys who were supposed to be late picks that go in the second."
Under the advice of former UW coach Keith Gilbertson, Toledo decided to make the switch from tight end to tackle prior to his senior season.
"Coach Gilbertson kind of put the idea in my ear after my junior season and convinced me that I would improve my NFL stock if I made the switch," he said.
"I think it helps that I can play a variety of positions and there are several NFL teams that will use a tackle as their third tight end."
At 6-5 and pushing 320 pounds, Toledo has both the frame and the footwork to excel at tackle at the next level.
"I think they want me as a tackle, but I'd be willing to move inside (to guard) if that's what they needed," he said. "Teams are always looking for versatility from their lineman."
Since graduating in December, Toledo has been working out near his parents' home and has been going through the pre-draft process at both the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and Washington's Pro Day workout.
"The Combine gets pretty crazy, but it's a great experience," he said. "You get to meet some of the best players in the country and I got a chance to sit down with coaches like Nick Saban (Miami Dolphins) and Art Shell (Oakland Raiders).
"You go through a pretty rigorous medical exam as well. They all take turns pulling on you and poking at you and they have every possible X-ray or MRI you've ever had."
With Texas quarterback Vince Young garnering so much attention with his low Wonderlic score (16 out of a possible 50); Toledo is on the opposite end of the spectrum as his score of 34 was in the top 10 percent among lineman at the Combine.
The Wonderlic is an intelligence test given to every player who attends the Combine.
Toledo, who was roommates at Washington with former Bellevue East standout and current Husky punter Sean Douglas, has no preference where the NFL road leads him, he's just looking for an opportunity.
"I'm used to moving around a lot, so that's not an issue," he said. "It doesn't matter to me where I end up, I just want the chance to make a team somewhere."
