Jake Long, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect
 | Offensive Tackle 6' 6" 320 lbs. Speed: 5.00 Michigan Senior  |
It seems like every year an elite offensive tackle emerges with a can’t miss tag. Since the 2002 NFL Draft there has been six offensive tackles drafted within the first 10 picks: 2002: Mike Williams was drafted #4 overall by the Buffalo Bills and in the same draft three picks later at #7 Bryant McKinnie was drafted by the Vikings. In 2003 Jordan Gross was drafted 8th overall by the Carolina Panthers, in 2004 Robert Gallery was drafted at #2 overall by the Raiders. In 2006 D’Brickashaw Ferguson was drafted at the 4 spot by the New York Jets and last year (2007), Joe Thomas was drafted #3 overall by the Browns.
If you look at those players, the history book has yet to close, but the only dominate player among that group is Bryant McKinnie. It’s too early to judge Joe Thomas, and D’Brickashaw had a solid rookie year, but Williams was let go by the Bills (he now plays for Jacksonville), Jordan Gross have been solid but not elite (Gross is moving back to right tackle in 2007), and Gallery has been a huge bust. What does all that mean, nothing really except to show that there is no such thing as a can’t miss prospect.
There will be another elite tackle labeled with the can’t miss tag for the 2008 NFL Draft, Jake Long from Michigan. Long returned for his senior year after many had him graded as a first round prospect for the 2007 NFL Draft. Long has prototype size at 6’ 6” 320 pounds and is a consensus preseason first team All-American. Long is rated as the top offensive tackle NFL prospect in the nation and the leading candidate for the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award. He was a 2006 consensus All-American and the 2006 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year . The 5th year senior has played in 30 games and made 27 starts at offensive tackle, 14 as right tackle and 13 at left tackle. In high school he played defensive and offensive tackle and as an offensive tackle as a prep, he never allowed a sack. Out of high school he ran the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds and bench pressed 380 pounds.
Long has had some problems with durability and injuries, but he appears fully healthy entering his final college season. Long has great feet, as you would expect for a prospect rated as a top five overall NFL Draft pick for the 2008 NFL Draft. Looking at his game except durability, he has no weakness, he is not just a finesse guy either, he can move the pile, run block with the best of them and he plays with a mean streak. His experience on both the left and right side will improve his versatility. Michigan running back Mike Hart didn’t run for 1,562 yards and score 14 touchdowns by accident, most of those runs were behind Jake Long.
Major Accolades:
· American Football Coaches Association All-America
· Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America
· Football Writers Association of America All-America
· Associated Press All-America first team
· Rivals.com All-America first team
· SI.com All-America first team
· The Sporting News All-America second team
· CollegeFootballNews.com All-America second team
· Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year