Name: Ryan O'Callaghan
College: California Number: 61
Height: 6-7 Weight: 344
Position: OT Pos2: OG
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2006
40 Time: 5.39
Projected Round: 2-3
Rated number 6 out of 110 OT's
Regarded by many as the best right tackle in college football, O'Callaghan has great size and strength to play the position. His ability to maul and drive defenders off the line of scrimmage was the major reason for the success of the team's rushing attack in recent years. In the last two seasons, he has blocked for a 2,000-yard rusher in J.J. Arrington in 2004 and a pair of 1,000-yard performers in Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett in 2005.
O'Callaghan earned Prep Stars All-America honors and was rated the 10th-best offensive line prospect in the West as a senior at Enterprise High School. He was selected to play on the California state all-star team vs. Florida. He was a dominant tackle as a senior, allowing no sacks while registering 74 knockdown blocks for a 10-2 team in 2000. He led a rushing attack that averaged 240 yards per game.
O'Callaghan redshirted in 2001 and played in 12 games as a reserve tackle in 2002 at California. He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2003. With O'Callaghan in the lineup, the team's ground attack improved from 124.3 yards per game in 2002 to 180.3 yards in 2003.
He earned All-Pac 10 Conference first-team honors in 2004, registering 29 knockdowns as he blocked for the school's first 2,000-yard rusher in J.J. Arrington. He was the recipient of the Bob Tessier Award, given to the team's Most Improved Offensive Lineman.
O'Callaghan was again named All-Pac 10 Conference first-team in 2005, as he cleared the way for two 1,000-yard rushers. He produced 38 knockdowns and was credited 19 touchdown-resulting blocks, despite missing the Washington State game with a concussion and suffering a right wrist fracture vs. UCLA. He finished his career with 35 starts.
Positives: Has a tall, large and thick frame, with broad shoulders, wide chest, long arms and thick legs, and despite his already massive physique, he still has room on his frame for additional growth...Stands out on the field not only for his size, but for his light feet and the mobility he displays for a 345-pounder...Compensates for a lack of initial quickness with a long wingspan that he uses effectively to engulf defenders...Has strong hands and is an adequate fist fighter, doing a good job of widening rush lanes with his leg drive...Stays square in his base and moves well laterally, showing solid footwork and agility...It is very rare to see him moved off his base due to his balance...Has the hand strength to lock on, pop and shock defenders, doing a good job of unlocking his hips to explode behind his arm swipes...Hits with good leverage and uses his huge body mass to get movement off the snap...Has a consistent hand punch, placement and usage to defeat counter moves...Has valid footwork in the short area, as he can redirect and take proper angles in his pass set...Shows good awareness in picking up threats...Moves his feet well in space and while he simply mauls defenders, he plays under control...Has enough quickness and above average balance to possibly switch to the left side...Tough athlete who has played through pain.
Negatives: Lacks suddenness coming off the ball, but uses his body well to position and counter the edge rush...Has a strong hand punch, but is inconsistent using it, as he tends to catch and extend more than pop on contact...Best when working at the line, as he does not have the sustained speed to get out on pulls and traps, or the acceleration to attack second level defenders...Slow to set in pass protection at times, as he tends to bend at the waist and take false steps...Despite his balance and leg drive, he can get turned some when he gets too high in his stance and narrows his base.
O'Callaghan is a very big, very athletic player who simply mauls defenders coming off the snap. He has all the physical tools to be a productive starting right tackle, but also displays the large wingspan and good pass set to be effective on the left side.
O'Callaghan is not really quick off the ball, but gets into blocks with ease and knows how to use his body mass to engulf people. He gets good fits and does a very good job of staying up and on the block. He has the lateral quickness to get out of his stance and reach a wide defensive end. He plays with leverage and keeps his feet, but can get turned some when he narrows his base and gets too tall in his stance.
O'Callaghan takes better angles working in-line than on the second level, but is able to adjust with ease to a moving target. He gets out exceptionally well on the short pull, but does not have the speed to go long distances. He is light on his feet and can adjust on the fly, taking good sets in pass protection.
O'Callaghan plays under control and has the ability to go get a wide edge rusher. He places his hands well, but doesn't place them with much violence. Still, he can widen the pocket and has the athletic agility to sit and recover inside. He needs some work to get out of his stance a little quicker and there are durability issues with his shoulder, but he could rival Jon Runyan and Jon Jansen for top right tackle honors in the NFL before long.
Thanks for that one ...
