February 13, 2008

This week I will tackle the offensive line in my weekly position preview after handling the offensive skill guys the last few weeks. Those who know me will tell you this is my favorite position to talk about due to me being a former lineman myself.

This could be the best group of small school linemen to come out of one draft class in a long time. There are former FBS transfers, sons of former NFL players, and 6’5 300 plus pounders with 4.9 or better speed to choose from.

Some of the top names you will recognize are Heath Benedict of Newberry, Chad Rinehart of Northern Iowa, and Kerry Brown of defending three-time FCS National Champion Appalachian State. While you may know some of these names there are others who could shock you on draft day if you aren’t careful.

Below is my look at the top 5 tackles, top 5 guards, and top 3 centers along with a write-up on each, a few notable names, an updated top 25, and my 2nd school feature of the year.

TOP 5 SMALL SCHOOL TACKLES

1. Heath Benedict, Newberry, 6046, 321lbs, 4.96 40

Benedict, a former Tennessee transfer, entered the season with a chance to become the first D2 player selected in the first round since Saginaw Valley State DE Lamar King was taken by Seattle in the 1999 NFL Draft. He was a two-time 1st team All-SAC selection and AP Little All-America pick after his junior year. He then followed that up with a 1st team All-America season by d2football.com and a few others while earning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for a second consecutive year in the SAC. Injuries and questions about his athletic ability translating to the field saw his stock plummet to the 6th-7th round range by most area scouts. Questions about his arm length came up as many felt he would have to move to guard. Those who know how to best evaluate talent will tell you to throw out his senior and junior film and watch his Senior Bowl performance. He was finally healthy and had received NFL coaching in the game and looked more worthy to be there. He was labeled the most surprising lineman by many during the practice week. Benedict displays quick feet, good strength, and the upside you want in a future starting tackle. His laziness has been a concern by some but if he works hard and stays healthy he should land in the 3rd-4th round and could be a future starter after 2-3 years of coaching.

2. Brandon Keith , Northern Iowa , 6045, 340lbs, 5.09 40

Keith, a former Oklahoma transfer, was possibly the best tackle in the Texas vs. Nation Game earlier this month. He shows great knee bend and surprising quickness for his size. His tree trunk sized thighs and thick frame lead scouts to believe he will be more than big enough to be a good one in the NFL. He also showed he could drive his man off the ball no matter if he was at tackle or at guard. Keith earned 3rd team All-America honors by the AP and 1st team All-Gateway honors for his play this year. Keith should come off the board in the 5th or 6th round.

3. Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State (LA), 6052, 301lbs, 5.05 40

Bell , a former basketball player with great athletic ability, was another impressive tackle at the Texas vs. Nation game. He was not consistent but flashed potential to be an excellent steal on day two after receiving NFL coaching. Bell earned All-SWLA honors as a junior and 1st team All-America and 1st team All-Southland plaudits as a senior. He will need to get stronger and become more aggressive before he is ready for the NFL, but has the athletic ability to make a GM overdraft him to take advantage of it. He currently carries a 6th-7th round but could go as high as the 4th round with a good combine workout.

4. T haddeus Coleman , Mississippi Valley State, 6076, 308lbs, 5.36 40

Unlike the previous three tackles mentioned Coleman does not have an invite to the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine and is perhaps the biggest snub of any player after watching him at the Texas vs. Nation game. Coleman is a two-time All-SWAC selection who showed why he has been highly regarded by the SWAC coaches. For those who watched his junior tape saw potential out of this very raw prospect. You saw the same thing in his senior year but could see development. When he came to T exas he was a man on a mission and literally threw everyone in his path. T his shouldn’t be surprising with his bloodlines because as