Alex Mack OL 6’4 316 California

Mack was the top reserve to Marvin Philip as a freshman at Cal, but moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and has held the job since. He was named All Pac 10 1st team as a sophomore and junior, and even earned some All America honors last season.

Strengths

Mack is a physical lineman that can dominate at the point of attack. He is very powerful and is very difficult to disengage from if he gets his hands on you. Mack will drive defenders off the ball and on to their backs in the running game. In pass protection, his hand punch keeps the defender in front of him. Mack also shows the ability to pull and block on the move. Mack has started every game over the past two seasons and has been a rock for the Bears on the interior line.

Weaknesses

One of the problems with Mack is that he plays a position that is not in high demand generally in April. As either a guard or center, he will have to dominate to even crack the first round. As a player, he can have some trouble with quicker interior lineman that can change direction well. He will need to improve his footwork because he will face more of those lineman in the NFL, and he won’t be able to neutralize most of them with his natural strength.

Future

Mack is the top center in the draft. His ability to control the line of scrimmage is special, and he could be the rare center taken in the first round. As long as he plays like he has the past two seasons, he should stay at the top of the center rankings.