BOL Round Table

I would like to hear some opinions and arguments as to why some of you think that he returns for his senior year or why you think he will declare for the 2012 draft (the deadline for declaring is 1/15).

One of his biggest assets is his extreme versatility, having started 14 games at right guard (earning freshman all-american as a redshirt freshman in 2009(redshirted after 3 games in 2008), and 11 games at the same position in 2010. He has started at left tackle this whole season, performing admirably I might add, at a position that is not considered his "natural position. Too, he has seen spot duty at center during his career. Ironically, the only position he has NOT played this year, has been right guard :)

Another asset of his is that he is incredibly athletic for his size. at 6'5'' and 310 pounds, he has been clocked as fast as 4.89 in the 40-yard dash.

His football IQ is through the roof allowing him to quickly spot the immediate threats in pass protection and to never be out of position.

His knocks, while limited, are his short arms and bad hand placement (although he DOES get them up quickly). These short arms also make it difficult to keep defenders off his frame. I've also heard it said that he doesn't possess the best ability to change direction. With these things in mind, I had a coach tell me that he may be more suited to teams that run a zone blocking scheme so that he can just gain position and seal..

Many scouts predict that he will be a late-first or early-second round pick in the draft but I've seen some predict him to be a mid-rounder at best . Furthermore, I've seen him listed fairly consistently as the number three ranked guard of 171 and while that is extremely high, tackles typically go first in the draft. Too, there is no doubt that David DeCastro will be the first OG to be drafted.

Earning a diploma does not apply to him because if he returns, he will already have his degree. I have had a couple of opportunities to speak to him over the past several months and he would not tip his hat in the least, primarily, IMO, because he had not made up his mind. One appealing draw to him though, is the opportunity to come back and play center after Vlachos is gone so that he can add "experienced" center to his resume. In talking to him, I couldn't get over him consistently replying to me as "sir"! In my mind, I don't feel like I appear much noticeably older than him, but when I consider that he was only TWO YEARS OLD when we won the '92 title, it FREAKS ME OUT :)

Okay, I apologize for being so long, but I wanted to discuss something other the Heisman and the BCS. My personal opinion is that he returns for his senior year. I'm thinking about a 60% chance he returns. What are your thoughts?

Thanks!