Donald Stephenson, Senior, Left Tackle, Oklahoma
Overview:
Donald Stephenson is one of the most intriguing tackle prospects in this year’s draft class. He is not the most talented or most experienced tackle, but he has a chance to be one of the better tackles. He has prototypical size and elite athleticism. However it is his on field effort that is turning heads. He never seems to take plays off and finishes his blocks regularly. A major red flag is that he was suspended for the entire 2009 season due to academic ineligibility.
Final Projection:
Although he did not have the most productive career in college he still had a solid one and is turning heads in front offices across the NFL. The biggest question is whether his work ethic is the one that shows up on his game film, always finishing blocks and giving relentless effort, or the work ethic that failed to earn high enough marks to be eligible to play academically. If teams are convinced that the effort he displays on the field will translate to how he will treat his new job, he could be drafted much higher than his production would indicate. I think he will sneak into the second round, but there is little chance that he does not get snatched by the end of the third round.
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