G, Louisiana Tech
placed on injured reserve July 31
Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 33rd-ranked guard, #616 player overall, free-agent grade.
Scouts Inc: 34th-ranked guard, rated as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.
NFLDraftBible: 51st-ranked guard.
Biography/honors:
2012: All-WAC second team. Started all 12 games at left guard. Offense was #1 in the country in points per game (51.5!) and total yards (578 per game) and ranked in top 20 in rushing yards. Line only gave up 10 sacks all season.
2011: Started all 13 games at left guard. Team ran for over 1,800 yards.
2010: Started all 12 games at left guard.
2009: Played in six games, starting three at left guard.
2008: Redshirted.
Major: not listed.
Injuries: none reported.
Pro day results: (NFL Combine guard averages in parentheses)
5.28 40 (5.23)
1.81 10-yard split (1.77)
26” vertical jump (25.5”)
8'2" broad jump (8'5")
8.09 3-cone drill (Would have tied for slowest at Combine. Guards averaged 7.80)
4.82 20-yard shuttle (4.83)
26 bench press (29)
Positives: Started 40 consecutive games, all at left guard, so he can compete there right away without having to re-learn technique and footwork. Shows high awareness and ability to block on the move in a motion offense. Shows some road-grader ability. Seems to get off the ball and out of his stance well. Looks good on the pull and changes direction well. Played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where Todd McShay called him one of the best players in the game during practice week. Played in the open, quick-passing kind of offense the Rams appear to be moving toward. Should be comfortable in no-huddle.
Negatives: I have no idea why his Youtube highlights include a play where he drags a guy to the ground by his jersey and gives up a tackle for loss anyway. He also got smoked for a sack in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on a play where he barely got out of his stance; my guess is he had the snap count wrong. Louisiana Tech's passing offense didn't require linemen to sustain their blocks for any amount of time. Questionable agility.
Compares to: Shelley Smith
Fun Facts: Louisiana Tech went 9-3 in 2012 and had one of the nation's most exciting offenses, but didn't go to a bowl. They turned down the Independence Bowl in Shreveport to wait for a better offer, didn't get one, Ohio University took their spot, and the Bulldogs stayed home for the postseason.
RamView: The Rams list Saia as a guard/center; he'll have to be more than a guard to have even a shot at the practice squad, but I have no record of him playing anywhere in college but left guard. Tech's offensive system and his three years' experience at LG could give him advantages, but the only Ram I see he can even compete with is Tim Barnes, who has a huge experience edge at center. Saia's an interesting prospect but I expect his NFL future is with another team.
Chance of making team: 20%.
Sources: NFLDraftScout, ESPN.com, Louisiana Tech athetics, Wikipedia, NFLDraftBible, YouTube
Photo: DraftNasty.com
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