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Overview
Prepped in Ohio where he also was a state champion discus thrower and state champion and All-American shot putter. Played through a shoulder injury as a senior. Redshirted in 2009. Appeared in six games as a reserve in '10 and 10 games as a reserve in '11. Started all 12 games at center in '12 despite hurting his foot against Illinois in early November. Had it surgically repaired and sat out the following spring. Started all 14 games at center in '13. Team captain.
Analysis
Strengths
Stout base. Works to re-anchor. Jolting punch. Strong upper body to latch onto and control defenders in short area. Generates movement in the run game. Understands angles and positioning. Excellent weight-room strength -- bench-presses 500 pounds and squats a small house. Smart and dependable. Communicated all the line calls and checks. Is tough and will play hurt. Hardworking team captain with leadership traits.
Weaknesses
Has short arms. More strong than explosive -- doesn't roll his hips and blow nose tackles off the ball. Falls off blocks when he bends at the waist. Pedestrian foot athlete -- slow to cut off linebackers, labors to pull and lacks lateral quickness to recover when beaten. Stressed by quicker rushers. Tied for the lightest offensive lineman at the combine.
Bottom Line
Strong-bodied, heavy-handed, short-area mauler who anchored one of the nation's most physical, productive rushing attacks. Has athletic limitations, but compensates with strength, smarts and competitiveness. Has the makeup to overachieve, and could increase his value by proving versatile enough to back up at guard.
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