2011 Center Reports
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 297
40: 5.15
Year: 5Sr

Tim Barnes

School: Missouri
Position: C
Bio: Full-time starter the past three seasons and awarded all-Conference honors as a senior.
Positive: Tough, strong, small-area blocker who's been productive and durable on the college level. Blocks with good lean, keeps his feet moving, and immediately gets his hands into defenders. Anchors in pass protection, stays square, and turns defenders off the line as a run blocker. Blocks with a nasty attitude, keeps his head on a swivel, and does a terrific job leading the offensive line. Displays better-than-average footwork in space and bends his knees.
Negative: Lacks agility, overall blocking balance and struggles in motion. Stiff as a blocker, which hurts his ability to finish blocks.
Analysis: Barnes is one of the most underrated centers in April's draft and possesses the football skills to play and eventually start at the next level. He should only improve as a physically matures and irons out the rough edges of his game.

Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 300
40: 5.11
Year: 5Sr

Colin Baxter

School: Arizona
Position: C
Bio: Four-year starter awarded all-Conference honors the last two years. Played both guard and center at Arizona.
Positive: Explosive blocker most effective in motion. Moves well on his feet, quick out to the second level, and seals linebackers from the play. Blocks with good knee bend, effectively adjusts to opponents and knocks defenders from their angle of attack. Displays footwork in space, is quick in all his movements, and uses all his assets to their maximum. Keeps his head on a swivel, effectively leads the offensive line, and is very aware of what's happening on the field.
Negative: Must do a better job correctly placing his hands into defenders. Overextends into blocks on occasion. Not a dominant drive blocker who opens up the middle of the field.
Analysis: Baxter has been a solid player on the college level who has been productive and durable. He's one of the more underrated centers in the draft and is versatile enough to play any of the three interior blocking positions. Baxter offers potential in a zone blocking system and could eventually work his way into a starting lineup as he physically matures and adds strength to his frame.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 309
40: 5.18
Year: 5Sr

Justin Boren

School: Ohio State
Position: C
Bio: Michigan transfer awarded all-Conference honors the past two seasons. Started 13 games at center as a true sophomore with the Wolverines in 2007.
Positive: One-time highly rated prospect who never improved on the dominance he once displayed. Blocks with terrific fundamentals, stays square, and anchors at the point of attack. Displays terrific awareness and blocking vision and keeps his head on a swivel. Plays with a nasty attitude and hits several defenders during a single play. Keeps his feet moving throughout the action, jolts defenders at the point of attack, and blocks with leverage.
Negative: Occasionally late setting his hands. Rarely finishes blocks and lacks balance.
Analysis: Boren looked like a top center prospect as a sophomore with Michigan then showed signs of potential at guard after transferring to Ohio State. He comes off a very disappointing senior campaign and is likely to fall out of the draft.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 299
40: 5.15
Year: 5Sr

J.C. Brignone

School: Mississippi State
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter who primarily played center for Mississippi State while also seeing spot duty with the first team at guard.
Positive: Undersized yet explosive blocker on the pivot quick in all his actions. Jolts opponents at the point of attack, quick if asked to pull across the line of scrimmage, and explodes into defenders. Stays square, displays the ability to slide in space, and is effective as a position blocker.
Negative: Lacks size, bulk, and football strength. Gets minimal movement run blocking and cannot open up the middle of the field.
Analysis: Brignone has been a consistent player on the college level yet lacks the size and growth potential to be anything other than a backup in the NFL. His ability to block in motion will get him consideration from zone blocking teams.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 306
40: 5.18
Year: 5Sr

Brandon Fusco

School: Slippery Rock
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors since his sophomore season.
Positive: Tough, heady center who has been consistent and productive on the college level. Plays with good quickness, keeps his feet moving, and displays better than average lateral blocking range. Terrific position blocker, stays square, and easily seals defenders from the action. Blocks with a nasty attitude, working hard to finish off defenders. Does a nice job consistently bending his knees and getting leverage. Always looking for someone to hit yet plays within himself and shows good awareness, helping out teammates.
Negative: Seems a bit stiff and marginally effective in motion. Struggles adjusting to defenders or hitting a moving target. Has difficulty when faced off against quick, explosive lineman.
Analysis: Fusco has been an outstanding player on the college level and possesses the size, physical skills, and attitude to play in the NFL. He has an upside and could break into a starting lineup once he improves the finer points of his game.

Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 319
40: 5.25
Year: 4Sr

Sampson Genus

School: South Florida
Position: C
Bio: Two-year starter who was awarded all-Conference honors in each of the last two years. Used at defensive tackle as a sophomore.
Positive: Fires off the snap, explosive at the point of attack, and moves well on his feet. Displays the ability to slide in space on passing downs and is quick if asked to pull across the line of scrimmage. Redirects to linebackers and shows the ability to hit a moving target. Keeps his feet moving throughout the action, bends his knees, and blocks with leverage. Keeps his head on a swivel and displays good awareness. Very effective with shotgun snap.
Negative: Lacks true strength at the point of attack and struggles finishing blocks. Has growth limitations.
Analysis: Genus possesses a terrific lineman E(TM)s build as well as the quickness and the movement skills to be used in a zone blocking system. Could get looks as a backup for a team willing to overlook his lack of height.

Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 299
40: 5.25
Year: 5Sr

John Gianninoto

School: UNLV
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter who played both center and guard with the first team.
Positive: Strong small-area blocker who blocks with a nasty attitude. Quickly sets up off the snap, stays square, and is strong enough to control defenders once engaged at the point. Jolts defenders with good hand punch, blocks with good lean, and has the ability to consistently finish blocks. Solid with the shotgun snap and keeps his feet moving.
Negative: Lumbers around the field and is not effective on the second level. Stiff, struggles to adjust, and gets upright out of his stance. Not a natural knee bender.
Analysis: Gianninoto is a serviceable lineman with the ability to be a backup at a number of positions on the offensive line.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 298
40: 5.11
Year: 5Sr

Jordan Holmes

School: Oregon
Position: C
Bio: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference honors as a senior.
Positive: Strong, explosive center who is best in a small area. Quickly sets up off the snap, blocks with leverage, and anchors in pass protection. Immediately gets his hands into defenders, correctly places them, and displays good overall body strength. Solid with shotgun snaps. Keeps his head on a swivel and effectively leads the offensive line. Fights hard until the whistle blows.
Negative: Ineffective blocking in motion. Looks a bit tight . Does not display top footwork in space.
Analysis: Holmes was a solid center on the college level the past two seasons and offers the size and growth potential to be a backup in the NFL.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 290
40: 5.12
Year: 5Sr

Eric Jobe

School: West Virginia
Position: C
Bio: Full-time starter the past two seasons after seeing action with the first team on a part-time basis as a sophomore. Started at both guard and center for West Virginia.
Positive: Hard-working, small area blocker with limited upside. Displays good awareness, picks up stunts and twists, and keeps his feet moving throughout the action. Blocks with good lean, strong at the point, and anchors in pass protection. Gets his hands up into defenders, correctly places them, and jolts opponents at the point of attack.
Negative: Stiff, struggles to adjust, and not a natural knee bender. Ineffective if asked to block in motion. Gets tall as the play proceeds.
Analysis: Jobe showed potential as a sophomore, and his versatility to play several positions on the line of scrimmage could help him find a spot as an inexpensive backup in the NFL.

Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 285
40: 4.89
Year: 5Sr

Jason Kelce

School: Cincinnati
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter manning the center spot last season after holding down the left guard spot the prior two years. All-Conference selection after his senior and junior campaigns.
Positive: Strong run blocker moving up draft boards. Blocks with good lean, fights hard throughout the action, and anchors in pass protection. Stays square, gets his hands into defenders, and strong at the point of attack. Blocks with a nasty attitude and moves defenders off the line of scrimmage, opening up the running lanes. Flashes the ability to get out to the second level and hit a moving target.
Negative: Overextends and lunges into blocks, which adversely affects his balance. Lacks great footwork in space.
Analysis: Kelce has been durable and productive on the college level and added the dimension of effectively playing another position last season. He lacks true NFL size yet is a solid developmental prospect who can make a depth chart at several offensive line positions.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 300
40: 5.32
Year: 5Sr

Jake Kirkpatrick

School: TCU
Position: C
Bio: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference honors and named to several All-American teams since his junior campaign.
Positive: Tough, explosive center who does the little things well. Quickly gets into blocks, stays square, and shows the ability to adjust. Plays with a nasty attitude, will take out several defenders off a single snap, and works hard until the whistle blows. Explosive at the point, stays square, and seals defenders from the action. Keeps his head on a swivel, effectively quarterbacks the offensive line, and picks up stunts or twists thrown by the opposition. Effective with shotgun snaps.
Negative: Not a dominant run blocker who gets movement at the point of attack. Not light on his feet and marginally effective blocking in motion.
Analysis: Kirkpatrick has flown under the radar in the scouting community the past two seasons. He lacks great upside but gets the most from his abilities and has enough skill to make an NFL roster.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 297
40: 5.21
Year: 5Sr

Kevin Kowalski

School: Toledo
Position: C
Bio: Four-year starting center at Toledo.
Positive: Aggressive small-area blocker who plays with good awareness and football intellect. Explodes off the snap into blocks, is quick out to the second level, and jolts defenders at the point of attack. Keeps his feet moving throughout the action, stays square, and is a solid position blocker. Strong, seals defenders from the action, and has the ability to finish blocks. Keeps his head on a swivel, remains very alert throughout the action, and effectively quarterbacks the offensive line. Solid with the shotgun snap as the ball immediately gets back to the quarterback.
Negative: Stiff, struggles redirecting to defenders, and ineffective in motion. Gets lazy with his hands and must be quicker getting them into opponents. Lacks top footwork in space.
Analysis: Kowalski has been a productive center on the college level and is a powerful player who does not give up an inch of room at the point of attack. He has the style for a power running offense and enough skill to take his game to the next level.

Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 304
40: 5.36
Year: 5Sr

Alex Linnenkohl

School: Oregon State
Position: C
Bio: Oregon State's starting center the past three seasons.
Positive: Hardworking blocker with a good head for the position. Plays with good lean, keeps his feet moving and active with his hands throughout the action. Quick out to the second level and gets good fits on linebackers, sealing them from the action. Stays square, blocks with leverage, and a solid position blocker. Effective with shotgun snaps. Shows the ability to adjust and pick up blitzes.
Negative: Lacks a dominant base and gets pushed back off the line. Needs help in one-on-one blocking situations.
Analysis: Linnenkohl has been productive and durable on the college level but lacks the size and strength to be a starter in the NFL. He has enough skill to be a backup in a zone blocking system.

Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 285
40: 5.12
Year: 5Sr

Ryan McMahon

School: Florida State
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors as a senior.
Positive: Productive and durable college lineman with limited upside for the next level. Blocks with good lean, gets leverage on defenders, and quickly sets up in pass protection. Immediately gets his hands into defenders, explosive at the point, and keeps his feet moving. Effective with shotgun snap.
Negative: Lacks a dominant base and gets pushed back off the line of scrimmage by bigger opponents. Cannot sustain blocks or finish them.
Analysis: McMahon was a solid lineman on the college level but has size and athletic limitations. He projects as a backup for a zone blocking scheme.

Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 292
40: 5.12
Year: 5Sr

Colin Miller

School: Central Michigan
Position: C
Bio: Four-year starter who spent most of his career at center while also being used at left guard as a sophomore. All-Conference selection the past two years.
Positive: Explosive offensive lineman who plays a smart brand of football. Plays low to the ground, bends his knees, and blocks with leverage. Explodes off the snap, quickly gets his hands into defenders, and fights with them throughout the action. Fires out to the second level, engaging linebackers than sealing them from the action. Quarterbacks the offensive line and effectively works with teammates.
Negative: Bends at the waist, plays stiff, and struggles finishing blocks. Lacks great size and strength and not a lineman who overpowers defenders.
Analysis: Miller has been a terrific lineman at Central Michigan and possesses all the skills necessary to be a reserve guard or center for a zone blocking team.

Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 292
40: 5.15
Year: 5Sr

Nick Mitchell

School: Western Michigan
Position: C
Bio: Two-year starter who also saw time with the first team as a sophomore.
Positive: Explosive zone blocking center who is effective on his feet. Bends his knees, blocks with leverage, and nicely adjusts to pick up the blitz. Gets his hands into defenders, quick in all aspects of the game, and keeps his head on a swivel. Jolts defenders with good hand punch, quickly getting them into defenders, and correctly placing them. Effective with shotgun snap.
Negative: Lacks a dominant base and gets pushed back off the line of scrimmage. Struggles handling one-on-one blocking assignments.
Analysis: Mitchell is an underrated center who has the ability to be a backup in a zone blocking system that consistently puts him in motion, requiring him to block in space.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 270
40: 4.95
Year: 4Sr

Bryan Morgan

School: Duke
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter at center.
Positive: Athletic zone blocking prospect who is very effective in motion. Blocks with good lean, easily moves about the field, and quickly gets out to the second level. Redirects to defenders, can hit a moving target, and is even effective blocking in the secondary. Stays square, shows ability as a position blocker, and works hard to finish the play.
Negative: Lacks a dominant base, possesses marginal strength, and struggles to control larger opponents.
Analysis: Morgan has been productive and durable on the college level yet lacks the natural bulk and size to be anything other than a backup in the NFL. That said, his ability to effortlessly move about the field and block in motion will make him attractive for a zone blocking team.

Height: 5-11.5
Weight: 300
40: 5.21
Year: 4Sr

Andrew Nierman

School: Tulane
Position: C
Bio: Four-year starter used at both guard and center.
Positive: Hardworking, durable lineman with limited upside. Quickly gets off the ball, correctly places his hands into defenders, and effectively uses body positioning to seal opponents from the action. Blocks with a nasty attitude, keeps his head on a swivel, and works hard until the whistle blows.Quick out to the second level. Plays with explosiveness.
Negative: Gets minimal movement run blocking and cannot finish blocks. Struggles redirecting to linebackers on the second level. Lacks top footwork for a smaller lineman.
Analysis: Nierman has been incredibly productive and durable on the college level, but he lacks the physical skills to be anything other than the third man on the depth chart in the NFL. His ability to be used at any of the three interior blocking positions gives him an outside shot.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 304
40: 5.12
Year: 4Sr

Kristofer O'Dowd

School: USC
Position: C
Bio: All-Conference selection after his senior and sophomore seasons, when he was a full-time starter. Struggled with numerous injuries throughout his college career, primarily ailments to his knee and shoulder.
Positive: Hardworking college lineman with limited upside for the next level. Intense, keeps his head on a swivel and works well with teammates. Blocks with good leverage, quickly gets his hands into defenders, and shows terrific explosiveness. Stays square, effectively redirects to linebackers on the second level, and uses all his assets well.
Negative: Must improve his blocking balance. Not a lineman who gets much movement in the middle. Multiple surgeries have thrown up medical red flags.
Analysis: O'Dowd was a terrific college blocker when on the field but has been sapped of his strength and ability due to numerous injuries. Will be downgraded by a number of teams and must quickly produce this summer to get out of camp.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 290
40: 5.36
Year: 4Sr

Ryan Pugh

School: Auburn
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter who also saw action with the first team as a true freshman. All-Conference selection the past two years. Lined up at center and left tackle.
Positive: Smart, tough lineman who lacks great physical skills. Quickly gets off the snap, keeps his head on a swivel, and shows great awareness. Blocks with good lean, keeps his feet moving, and stays square. Terrific position blocker who seals defenders from the action. Works well with teammates.
Negative: Gets minimal movement run blocking. Struggles when faced off against big defensive tackles. Marginally effective in motion.
Analysis: Pugh is a workmanlike lineman who lacks the size and athleticism to play at the next level. His competitive nature and feel for the game could help him catch on as an inexpensive utility blocker.

Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 309
40: 5.52
Year: 5Sr

Zane Taylor

School: Utah
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter at center awarded all-Conference honors the past two years.
Positive: Explosive position blocker who plays with solid fundamentals. Bends his knees, gets leverage on opponents, and keeps his feet moving throughout the action. Fires off the snap, quickly gets his hands into defenders, and stays square. Gets positioning on opponents and seals them from the action. Displays good awareness and vision and effectively quarterbacks the offensive line. Solid with the shotgun snaps.
Negative: Really does not get much movement at the point of attack as a run blocker. Lacks a dominant base.
Analysis: Taylor is a big center who comes with limited athleticism and marginal upside. He possesses the underlying skills to make a roster at the next level if he improves his run blocking.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 285
40: 5.15
Year: 5Sr

Beau Warren

School: Virginia Tech
Position: C
Bio: Two-year starter at center.
Positive: Tough, slug-it-out lineman with marginal physical skills. Bends his knees, sets with an exceptionally wide base, and gets leverage on opponents. Keeps his feet moving throughout the action, shows terrific quickness, and is explosive at the point of attack. Terrific with the shotgun snap. Flashes the ability to turn defenders off the ball. Fluid when asked to kick out or pull and shows ability blocking in motion.
Negative: Lacks quick and fluid footwork in space. Struggles to finish blocks. Overwhelmed by larger defenders.
Analysis: Warren was a solid center on the college level, and his ability to block in motion could help him retain a spot as a backup in a zone blocking system.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 309
40: 5.18
Year: 5Sr

Zach Williams

School: Washington State
Position: C
Bio: Junior college transfer who has started the past two seasons at center and guard.
Positive: Tough, hardworking lineman with limited upside. Displays good blocking vision, keeps his head on a swivel, and works well with teammates. Stays square, keeps defenders in front of him, and anchors at the point of attack. Strong, effective with his hands, and plays with good quickness. Solid position blocker who seals defenders from the action.
Negative: Not a natural knee bender and does more steering of opponents rather than driving them off the ball. Lacks footwork in space.
Analysis: Williams is a hardworking line prospect who gets the most from his ability. His versatility to be back backup at a number of spots on the offensive line gives him an edge.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 313
40: 5.29
Year: 5Sr

Stefen Wisniewski

School: Penn State
Position: C
Bio: Three-year starter at both guard and center who has been awarded all-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign.
Positive: Adequately sized lineman with a good head for the position. Blocks with good lean, gets leverage on opponents, and effectively uses his hands to keep defenders away. Keeps his feet moving, is quick out to the second level, and shows the ability to hit a moving target. Displays terrific vision and helps out his teammates. Stays square and is a solid position blocker who rides defenders from their angle of attack.
Negative: Lacks a dominant base, gets pushed off the line by larger opponents, and struggles to finish blocks. Not a natural knee bender.
Analysis: Wisniewski has been productive on the college level and shows the versatility to line up at several positions. He's a workman type player who would be effective in a zone blocking system that puts him in motion.

Updated 2/20
RankRndNamePos
11stAndrew Luck
Stanford
QB
21stMatt Kalil
USC
T
31stTrent Richardson
Alabama
RB
41stRobert Griffin III
Baylor
QB
51stQuinton Coples
North Carolina
DE
61stJustin Blackmon
Oklahoma State
WR
71stMorris Claiborne
LSU
CB
81stRiley Reiff
Iowa
T
91stKendall Wright
Baylor
WR
101stMelvin Ingram
South Carolina
DE
111stDavid DeCastro
Stanford
G
121stMichael Brockers
LSU
DT
131stDre Kirkpatrick
Alabama
CB
141stFletcher Cox
Mississippi State
DT
151stCourtney Upshaw
Alabama
OLB
161stMichael Floyd
Notre Dame
WR
171stMike Adams
Ohio State
T
181stZach Brown
North Carolina
OLB
191stJonathan Martin
Stanford
T
201stNick Perry
USC
OLB
211stDevon Still
Penn State
DT
221stLuke Kuechly
Boston College
ILB
231-2Peter Konz
Wisconsin
C
241stDon'ta Hightower
Alabama
ILB
251stMark Barron
Alabama
S
Listen to internet radio with SOBO on Blog Talk Radio