In the Trenches

2007-nfl-draft

In the trenches is where most football games are won or lost. Most teams hesitate on using a high draft pick for the hogs in the trenches, so I want to highlight a couple NFL Prospects that should be available in rounds 3-5 in the 2007 NFL Draft. The first prospect is a very talented offensive guard from Akron: Andy Alleman, is a 6’ 4” 305 pound mauler that is exceptionally quick and as strong as a bear. He transferred from Pittsburgh prior to the 2004 season where he played defensive line for two years. Alleman moved to offensive line in the spring of 2005 and is considered to be one of the strongest players on the team, holding numerous lifting records. He was named by ESPN.com in the spring as one of the nation’s “workout freaks”. Alleman was named most valuable lineman and weight lifter of the year in the annual post season awards banquet. Alleman is very under rated prospect, he didn’t even win any All-Conference awards in the MAC, but he has been invited to participate in the 2007 NFL Combine where I predict he will emerge as a top NFL Draft Prospect.

The second prospect is much better known, but has fallen off the radar screen since he was suspended early in the season for missing classes. Kyle Young from Fresno State is one of the biggest centers to enter the NFL Draft in recent memory. At 6’ 5” 330 pounds, he is a man mountain. Young was considered to even be a possible first round draft pick in the 2006 Pre-season, he started at Fresno State at center in the beginning of his freshman year in 2003, and started 47 consecutive games before his suspension. He was on the Rimington Watch list as the nation's top center in his first three years and a consensus pre-season All-WAC awardee. Due to his suspension, his draft stock has dropped, and character issues have surfaced. NFL scouts probably feel if the senior All-American center decided to skip class, his dedication and commitment could be in question. Interestingly, he was a surprise omission for the 2007 NFL Combine, so he will have to have a good “Pro Day” workout. Young did show up at the Shrine game and played the entire second half. He did a decent job, but isn't real mobile, he looked a little heavy and wore two huge knee braces on both knees. Some think he might project to guard at the next level. Regardless, if he stays (gets) committed to football and keeps his weight down, he could be a late round steal in the 2007 NFL Draft.