Breed
Pro Bowler
These are my favorite OT prospects:
1. Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)-This is pretty much a given, he's 6'8, 314 pounds. Joe Thomas is a rare 5 star prospect, some experts believe he's a better prospect than what D'brickashaw Ferguson was. He's excellent in pass protection and run blocking. Long arms and quick feet are the most important measurables for an OT (IMO); not many players have the massive wingspan Joe Thomas does, he also has very quick feet (runs around a 5.0 40). Top 3 pick if healthy
2. Jared Gaither (Maryland)-6'9, 350 pounds. Second-year player who looks like one of the ACC's burgeoning young stars ... had a tremendous campaign in his first at the college level, not allowing a single sack from his left tackle position ... could play right tackle this season with the return of Stephon Heyer ... ideal combination of size and athleticism ... player who is naturally very strong and has yet to reach his physical potential ... an honors candidate, despite his youth ... in the spring, set the school record for an offensive lineman with a 36-inch vertical jump.
2005 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 games, starting the last eight ... named a third team Freshman All-American by College Football News and honorable mention by The Sporting News ... finished the season with a 1.122 grade, second-highest on the team ... did not allow a sack in 583 offensive plays (all at left tackle) ... was whistled for just two penalties all year ... ... (at NCSU) ... on a day the team struggled in pass protection (6 sacks), gave up no sacks and managed two pancake blocks and no penalties in 70 offensive plays ... (vs. BC) ... was in on 83 plays ... did not allow a sack and recorded two pancake blocks ... (at UNC) ... was team's highest-rated blocker on 77 plays ... yielded no sacks and has just one missed assignment ... cleared a hole on the right side for Lance Ball for a 13-yard gain in the first quarter ... opened up a similar seam later in the quarter, setting up a 10-yard Ball pickup... (at FSU) ... was in for all 65 plays ... did not allow any sacks and credited with a pair of big blocks ... (vs. VT) ... was team's second-highest rated lineman ... in on a team-high 64 plays ... credited with a team-high tying three big blocks ... made a big block on LB Xavier Adibi to open up a hole for Lance Ball on a 12-yard pickup where he knocked the star linebacker two yards out of bounds ... (vs. UVa) ... started and was in on a team-high 80 plays ... credited with three big blocks ... was second on the team with three pancake blocks ... allowed no sacks and was whistled for no penalties ... (at WFU) ... made first career start at left tackle ... did not allow a sack and was credited with one big block.
http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gaither_jared01.html
"If I had not seen Jared Gaither run, I wouldn't have believed it. The 6-8 and 300+ offensive tackle that is committed to Maryland ran a 4.75 forty on the indoor surface with dozens of watches on him. Comments overheard as he ran his second forty included "Just send him to the League. That's just not fair", and "as long as we don't have to play him...".
After seeing Gaither in action on the field and on the watch, no one is going to convince me there is a better offensive line prospect in the country" Gaithers also has a 36 inch vertical jump
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/327500.html
This was written in 2004, Gaither was supposedly at 330 pounds when he ran his '4.75' 40. Anything under 5.10 for someone that size is very good. How quick is he now at 350 pounds? I've seen his estimated 40 time at 5.65, so he may have to lose some weight. Can he lose the weight if he has to? I've never seen any tape of him, I've just seen him ranked as a 1st round prospect, so right now he's somewhat of an unknown (to me) with very good measurables. Other than Joe Thomas, Jared Gaithers might be the most intriguing OT prospect in the '07 draft (if he declares).
Gaither is a sophmore (3 years removed from high school), so he may not declare.
3. Sam Baker (USC)-6'5,305 pounds. Sam Baker is one of the better Left Tackles in the country, he has quick feet and is very polished. He doesn't have the same size and strength as some of the other Offensive Tackles in his draft class, but he knows how to play. Walter Jones is the best Left Tackle in the NFL, and he's 6-5, 308 pounds. Sam Baker will probably go somewhere between #10-15 overall.
4. Levi Brown (PSU)-6'5, 328 pounds. Brown will serve as co-captain with Posluszny as he enters his fourth season of protecting quarterbacks and plowing running room from his left tackle position. The former Granby HS standout brings tremendous size, strength and agility to the unit. Rated the No. 3 offensive tackle in the nation and a second-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News. This past spring, he was rated No. 14 overall (the No. 2 offensive lineman) on Mel Kiper’s 2007 NFL Draft board.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1926
He's a pretty good athlete for a man that big. Brown combines great size, skills and athleticism; he has muscled up with his efforts in the weight room and off-season conditioning program and has improved his speed and agility from last season. Brown has started 34 of the past 35 games, and in 05, earned second-team All-America honors. I perceive this guy to be a manster and he's worthy of All-America hype.
http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=32916
5. Doug Free (Northern Illinois)-6'7, 315 pounds. Two-time All-Mid-Am pick (2004-05). Heads into senior campaign with an active string of 36 consecutive starts (34 at LT and two at TE) and 156 knockdown blocks in 2,287 career snaps (2003-05). Serious 2007 National Football League draft material. All-America candidate with unique combination of athleticism, quick feet, and work ethic. Nicknamed by Northern Illinois teammates as "Doug Freak" for athleticism (:05.0 speed, 29-inch vertical jump, and 565-pound squat lift. Compared to former Huskie Third-Team All-America OT and Indianapolis Colts (fourth-round pick in 2001 NFL draft) starter Ryan Diem. Rated by ESPN.com analyst Bill Curry as one of three best non-skill position players in the country.... "Even at 6-7, 302, he (Free) can get out and lead RB Garrett Wolfe downfield on screens. Coach Joe Novak says Free could play TE in the NFL."
Joe Novak: "No question, Doug has the talent to play on Sundays. Knock on wood, I believe he's going to be a first-round draft pick. Doug Free's a lot better athlete than Ryan Diem. He (Free) can run! You just don't see many offensive linemen that can run at that size like he can. What's impressive is he'll sit back in pass protection and then we'll throw the ball down the field and he''ll run downfield and block a safety. I mean, get downfield! You just don't see kids who can do that. He's special. Our kids call him `Doug Freak' because he runs so well."
Named to Outland Trophy Watch List. Honorable Mention All-America, First-Team All-MAC selection, and listed as league's "top NFL prospect" by Street & Smith's. First-Team All-America selection by Insiders' Football News. Listed as Third-Team All-America and First-Team All-MAC by Athlon Sports preseason publication. Tabbed First-Team All-MAC by Blue Ribbon College Football Digest. First-Team All-MAC and ranked as No. 8 offensive tackle in the nation by The Sporting News. Honorable mention All-America and rated as No. 6 offensive tackle in the nation by CollegeFootballNews.com. Listed as the nation's No. 8 offensive tackle by Lindy's preseason publication in addition to being tabbed as the MAC's "Best Run Blocker" and the league's No. 2 NFL Draft candidate and a first-team all-conference pick. Tabbed as First-Team All-MAC, ranked as the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally, and No. 26 on 2007 NFL Draft List by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. Named on preseason Third-Team NationalChamps.Net All-America. Listed as fourth-best senior offensive tackle and No. 23 among senior prospects for 2007 NFL Draft by Mel Kiper. First-Team All-MAC by CBS SportsLine.
http://niuhuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/free_doug00.html
1. Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)-This is pretty much a given, he's 6'8, 314 pounds. Joe Thomas is a rare 5 star prospect, some experts believe he's a better prospect than what D'brickashaw Ferguson was. He's excellent in pass protection and run blocking. Long arms and quick feet are the most important measurables for an OT (IMO); not many players have the massive wingspan Joe Thomas does, he also has very quick feet (runs around a 5.0 40). Top 3 pick if healthy
2. Jared Gaither (Maryland)-6'9, 350 pounds. Second-year player who looks like one of the ACC's burgeoning young stars ... had a tremendous campaign in his first at the college level, not allowing a single sack from his left tackle position ... could play right tackle this season with the return of Stephon Heyer ... ideal combination of size and athleticism ... player who is naturally very strong and has yet to reach his physical potential ... an honors candidate, despite his youth ... in the spring, set the school record for an offensive lineman with a 36-inch vertical jump.
2005 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 games, starting the last eight ... named a third team Freshman All-American by College Football News and honorable mention by The Sporting News ... finished the season with a 1.122 grade, second-highest on the team ... did not allow a sack in 583 offensive plays (all at left tackle) ... was whistled for just two penalties all year ... ... (at NCSU) ... on a day the team struggled in pass protection (6 sacks), gave up no sacks and managed two pancake blocks and no penalties in 70 offensive plays ... (vs. BC) ... was in on 83 plays ... did not allow a sack and recorded two pancake blocks ... (at UNC) ... was team's highest-rated blocker on 77 plays ... yielded no sacks and has just one missed assignment ... cleared a hole on the right side for Lance Ball for a 13-yard gain in the first quarter ... opened up a similar seam later in the quarter, setting up a 10-yard Ball pickup... (at FSU) ... was in for all 65 plays ... did not allow any sacks and credited with a pair of big blocks ... (vs. VT) ... was team's second-highest rated lineman ... in on a team-high 64 plays ... credited with a team-high tying three big blocks ... made a big block on LB Xavier Adibi to open up a hole for Lance Ball on a 12-yard pickup where he knocked the star linebacker two yards out of bounds ... (vs. UVa) ... started and was in on a team-high 80 plays ... credited with three big blocks ... was second on the team with three pancake blocks ... allowed no sacks and was whistled for no penalties ... (at WFU) ... made first career start at left tackle ... did not allow a sack and was credited with one big block.
http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gaither_jared01.html
"If I had not seen Jared Gaither run, I wouldn't have believed it. The 6-8 and 300+ offensive tackle that is committed to Maryland ran a 4.75 forty on the indoor surface with dozens of watches on him. Comments overheard as he ran his second forty included "Just send him to the League. That's just not fair", and "as long as we don't have to play him...".
After seeing Gaither in action on the field and on the watch, no one is going to convince me there is a better offensive line prospect in the country" Gaithers also has a 36 inch vertical jump
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/327500.html
This was written in 2004, Gaither was supposedly at 330 pounds when he ran his '4.75' 40. Anything under 5.10 for someone that size is very good. How quick is he now at 350 pounds? I've seen his estimated 40 time at 5.65, so he may have to lose some weight. Can he lose the weight if he has to? I've never seen any tape of him, I've just seen him ranked as a 1st round prospect, so right now he's somewhat of an unknown (to me) with very good measurables. Other than Joe Thomas, Jared Gaithers might be the most intriguing OT prospect in the '07 draft (if he declares).
Gaither is a sophmore (3 years removed from high school), so he may not declare.
3. Sam Baker (USC)-6'5,305 pounds. Sam Baker is one of the better Left Tackles in the country, he has quick feet and is very polished. He doesn't have the same size and strength as some of the other Offensive Tackles in his draft class, but he knows how to play. Walter Jones is the best Left Tackle in the NFL, and he's 6-5, 308 pounds. Sam Baker will probably go somewhere between #10-15 overall.
4. Levi Brown (PSU)-6'5, 328 pounds. Brown will serve as co-captain with Posluszny as he enters his fourth season of protecting quarterbacks and plowing running room from his left tackle position. The former Granby HS standout brings tremendous size, strength and agility to the unit. Rated the No. 3 offensive tackle in the nation and a second-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News. This past spring, he was rated No. 14 overall (the No. 2 offensive lineman) on Mel Kiper’s 2007 NFL Draft board.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1926
He's a pretty good athlete for a man that big. Brown combines great size, skills and athleticism; he has muscled up with his efforts in the weight room and off-season conditioning program and has improved his speed and agility from last season. Brown has started 34 of the past 35 games, and in 05, earned second-team All-America honors. I perceive this guy to be a manster and he's worthy of All-America hype.
http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=32916
5. Doug Free (Northern Illinois)-6'7, 315 pounds. Two-time All-Mid-Am pick (2004-05). Heads into senior campaign with an active string of 36 consecutive starts (34 at LT and two at TE) and 156 knockdown blocks in 2,287 career snaps (2003-05). Serious 2007 National Football League draft material. All-America candidate with unique combination of athleticism, quick feet, and work ethic. Nicknamed by Northern Illinois teammates as "Doug Freak" for athleticism (:05.0 speed, 29-inch vertical jump, and 565-pound squat lift. Compared to former Huskie Third-Team All-America OT and Indianapolis Colts (fourth-round pick in 2001 NFL draft) starter Ryan Diem. Rated by ESPN.com analyst Bill Curry as one of three best non-skill position players in the country.... "Even at 6-7, 302, he (Free) can get out and lead RB Garrett Wolfe downfield on screens. Coach Joe Novak says Free could play TE in the NFL."
Joe Novak: "No question, Doug has the talent to play on Sundays. Knock on wood, I believe he's going to be a first-round draft pick. Doug Free's a lot better athlete than Ryan Diem. He (Free) can run! You just don't see many offensive linemen that can run at that size like he can. What's impressive is he'll sit back in pass protection and then we'll throw the ball down the field and he''ll run downfield and block a safety. I mean, get downfield! You just don't see kids who can do that. He's special. Our kids call him `Doug Freak' because he runs so well."
Named to Outland Trophy Watch List. Honorable Mention All-America, First-Team All-MAC selection, and listed as league's "top NFL prospect" by Street & Smith's. First-Team All-America selection by Insiders' Football News. Listed as Third-Team All-America and First-Team All-MAC by Athlon Sports preseason publication. Tabbed First-Team All-MAC by Blue Ribbon College Football Digest. First-Team All-MAC and ranked as No. 8 offensive tackle in the nation by The Sporting News. Honorable mention All-America and rated as No. 6 offensive tackle in the nation by CollegeFootballNews.com. Listed as the nation's No. 8 offensive tackle by Lindy's preseason publication in addition to being tabbed as the MAC's "Best Run Blocker" and the league's No. 2 NFL Draft candidate and a first-team all-conference pick. Tabbed as First-Team All-MAC, ranked as the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally, and No. 26 on 2007 NFL Draft List by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. Named on preseason Third-Team NationalChamps.Net All-America. Listed as fourth-best senior offensive tackle and No. 23 among senior prospects for 2007 NFL Draft by Mel Kiper. First-Team All-MAC by CBS SportsLine.
http://niuhuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/free_doug00.html
