Despite the early entry by two high profile junior performers in Virginia’s Branden Albert and USC’s Chilo Rachal, the offensive guard pool is average at best in 2008 for NFL teams.
The Talent: Branden Albert-Virginia….Albert is a football puppy who only played two years of high school football. The former prep basketball standout has excellent size (6-6 ½, 312), long arms and he excels in pass protection. Versatile performer, who has also seen work at left tackle over the past two seasons. NFL teams will love his ability to pull out and lead the way on sweeps and his adjustment skills on the move are outstanding. Albert looks like a 20’s pick in Round 1.
The Tough Guy: RoySchuening-OregonState….Schuening lost almost 20 pounds during the season while playing with walking pneumonia, but he did not miss one start. Roy is a fiery competitor, who knows how to use his arms and hands effectively and he buries opposing
defensive linemen at the point of attack. Super strong athlete, who OregonState head coach Mike Riley said is one of the most effective college players he has ever coached. While Schuening may have just above-average athletic gifts, he will quickly make his presence felt in the league.
The Natural: Chilo Rachal-USC… Rachal has started for the Trojans for two seasons at guard, but he surprised the USC football world when he declared early for the 2008 NFL draft. Chilo says his decision to leave school early was because his mother has serious health issues. Rachal has excellent size (6-5, 315), a huge frame and outstanding body balance and control skills. Very effective run blocker and starting at USC the past two seasons he has also been a very strong pass
protector. Chilo is a very gifted offensive guard prospect, who will need some work on his overall techniques, but I have a feeling some team will get a steal of a pick in him in Round #3.
Mr. Versatility: Mike McGlynn-Pittsburgh…. McGlynn has started for the Panthers since his
freshman season and seen work at right offensive tackle, guard and served as the team’s short-snapper for field goal attempts and point-after tries. Very aggressive run blocker, who show great power in the upper-body and he gets a strong initial push with his blocks. Mike has quick feet for a big man and while he seems best suited to play guard in the NFL, he could also project to right tackle.
The Sleeper: Fernando Velasco-Georgia… It is hard to believe that someone that has started the past two seasons in the Southeast Conference is a big-time sleeper, but that is exactly what you have in Fernando Velasco. Velasco has worked at both guard and center and he displays great strength at the point of attack and he is also a very good pass protector.
The Super Sleeper:MackenzyBernadeau-Bentley College… This small college standout from Massachusetts has scouts scouring to the Northeast to get another look at him. NFL teams will really like his excellent size, (6-3 ½, 295), his excellent movement skills and his ability to play under control. While MacKenzy needs to upgrade his overall strength and refine his pass blocking skills he is a very skilled offensive guard prospect and he is a very sharp football player.
Mike D’s Top 5 Offensive Guard Prospects for the 2008
NFL Draft…
1. Branden Albert-Virginia 1st round pick
2. RoySchuening-OregonState 2nd round pick
3. Chilo Rachal-USC 3rd round pick
4. Mike McGlynn-Pittsburgh 3rd-4th round pick
5. Oneil Cousins-UTEP 3rd-4th round pick
The Locals: Adam Kraus (Michigan) and Will Arnold (LSU)….Kraus, a former All-American prep tight end from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, has
started at both offensive center and guard for the Wolverines. Adam is a very intelligent player, who is a good technician and he has good size for the center/guard spot (6-5 ½, 300), but he lacks great lower-body strength and he is a not an overly powerful run blocker. Look for Kraus to be picked late or be signed as a free agent.
Will Arnold earned 1st team Freshman All-SEC honors in 2004 and 2nd team All-SEC honors as a sophomore at LSU, but knee and ankle injuries have derailed his football career. While Arnold gets high marks for his size, his inside power blocking skills and his good techniques as a pass protector, he will get passed over on draft day due to the question marks about his long-term durability.
The Talent: Branden Albert-Virginia….Albert is a football puppy who only played two years of high school football. The former prep basketball standout has excellent size (6-6 ½, 312), long arms and he excels in pass protection. Versatile performer, who has also seen work at left tackle over the past two seasons. NFL teams will love his ability to pull out and lead the way on sweeps and his adjustment skills on the move are outstanding. Albert looks like a 20’s pick in Round 1.
The Tough Guy: 
The Natural: Chilo Rachal-USC… Rachal has started for the Trojans for two seasons at guard, but he surprised the USC football world when he declared early for the 2008 NFL draft. Chilo says his decision to leave school early was because his mother has serious health issues. Rachal has excellent size (6-5, 315), a huge frame and outstanding body balance and control skills. Very effective run blocker and starting at USC the past two seasons he has also been a very strong pass
Mr. Versatility: Mike McGlynn-Pittsburgh…. McGlynn has started for the Panthers since his
The Sleeper: Fernando Velasco-Georgia… It is hard to believe that someone that has started the past two seasons in the Southeast Conference is a big-time sleeper, but that is exactly what you have in Fernando Velasco. Velasco has worked at both guard and center and he displays great strength at the point of attack and he is also a very good pass protector.
The Super Sleeper: 
The Locals: Adam Kraus (Michigan) and Will Arnold (LSU)….Kraus, a former All-American prep tight end from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, has
