{"id":6488,"date":"2017-03-24T15:00:31","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T19:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com?p=6488&preview=true&preview_id=6488"},"modified":"2017-05-22T00:01:10","modified_gmt":"2017-05-22T04:01:10","slug":"ethan-pocic-2017-nfl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2017\/03\/24\/ethan-pocic-2017-nfl-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethan Pocic 2017 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview
\n<\/strong>Position:<\/strong> Center
\nHeight:<\/strong> 6\u20187\u201d
\nWeight:<\/strong> 302
\nSchool:<\/strong> LSU Tigers<\/p>\n

Combine Performance Data
\n40-yard dash<\/strong>: 5.15 seconds
\nBench press<\/strong>: 26 reps
\nVertical jump<\/strong>: 27 inches
\nBroad jump<\/strong>: 8 feet, 11 inches
\nThree-cone drill<\/strong>: 7.89 seconds
\n20-yard shuttle<\/strong>: 4.81 seconds<\/p>\n

Ethan Pocic 2017 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h2>\n

LSU\u2019s Ethan Pocic<\/strong> stands at the top of this year\u2019s NFL Draft prospects at the center position. He was a three-year starter in college who has played other positions on the line and has the size to do the same in the NFL. The Illinois native was a top offensive line prospect in 2013, but played mostly in a reserve role in his first year in Baton Rouge. The following year began his stint as a three-year starter on the Tigers\u2019 offensive line. He played mostly center, but started some games at guard or tackle as well.<\/p>\n

At 6\u20197\u201d and 302 pounds, Pocic is unusually tall for a center. In fact, his size is closer to former LSU basketball center Shaquille O\u2019Neal<\/strong>\u2019s than to the average NCAA football center. This adds value for teams, as Pocic could possibly play tackle in an emergency situation as he did in one game during his senior season at LSU. Another advantage to having a center with this kind of size is that it can help in your overall pass protection. Since he has a longer reach than his shorter counterparts, he can line up farther off the ball. This means that his hips are farther from the line of scrimmage. A player is judged to be on or off of the line of scrimmage based on his relationship to the center\u2019s hips. So with a 6\u20197\u201d center like Pocic, the offensive tackles can line up deeper helping to establish a pocket and creating a wider edge for pass rushers.<\/p>\n

Pocic is an excellent pass blocker who defenders have a difficult time getting around. He needs to improve his strength and leverage as when he does have problems pass blocking it it is the result of\u00a0getting overpowered by the bull rush. He is athletic enough to pull and be an effective lead blocker, but he does not dominate in the run game generally achieving little more than a stalemate. He plays high at times, and struggles when defensive linemen stunt across his face. His size gives him added value as he could potentially play every position on the line.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h3>\n