NFL Draft: Scouting Report for Alex Huettel

So if you're an NFL scout, how do you evaluate an offensive lineman?  Is it more of what he and his team did on the field against top notch competition?  Or, is it more about ultimate size, brute strength and quickness and the things you can ascertain from measurables at the NFL Combine or on a Pro Day?

Let's take the case of senior Bowling Green offensive lineman Alex Huettel.  How do you evaluate Alex against offensive lineman from Alabama, Ohio State or any other Power 5 conference?  Alex and his Falcons surely accomplished plenty on the field the last four years.

During Huettel's four years as a starter, the Falcons went 36-19 overall (65.6%) and 25-7 (78.1%) in Mid-American Conference play.  They won the MAC East Division all four years, the MAC Championship twice, and played in a postseason bowl game all four years.

He was named Second Team All-MAC three consecutive years, and was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award preseason watch list in 2015.  He blocked for the leading rusher in Bowling Green team history (Travis Greene), as well as the 2015 MAC Player of the Year, quarterback Matt Johnson.  Huettel also gave Johnson time allowing Roger Lewis to have a record-setting season in which he became an All-American wide receiver.

With Huettel as a captain last year, the Falcon offense set new school records in points scored (591), first downs (389), passing yards (5,135) and total yardage (7,655),  The Falcons averaged a MAC-best 366.8 yards through the air and also rushed for 180.0 yards per game.  The Falcons also set a new school record with 81 offensive touchdowns.

And oh by the way, mix in the fact that Huettel NEVER missed a start from day one in his four year career, setting a new school record with 55 consecutive starts.  If nothing else, the NFL scouts have to love his durability.  The Falcons and Huettel also fared pretty well against bigger named opponents on their schedule.  They beat Big Ten teams, Maryland, Purdue and Indiana, and had near misses against Mississippi State, Florida and Pittsburgh.

So all told, Huettel put together a pretty great resume on the field.  He wasn't invited to the NFL combine but did workout at Bowling Green's Pro Day in March.  He measured in at 6' 3" and 304 pounds, recorded a 40-yard dash time low of 5.22, and bench pressed 225 pounds 33 times.  He also participate in the East West Shrine Game.

Huettel played mostly guard in college, but also played some center.  This versatility should serve him well in his attempt to stick with an NFL team this summer.  He also has played in a couple of different offenses, with one that featured a pro-style, hurry-up tempo.  Again, the experience in different offenses should bode well for Huettel.

Most scouting reports have him listed as a potential late-round selection in the upcoming draft.  More likely, he'll sign as a free agent and get to choose the team where he thinks he has the best chance to make the roster.

If he does make it to an NFL roster, he'll be continuing a legacy of recent pro success by Bowling Green offensive lineman.  Former Falcon Scott Mruczkowski (2005 draft) played seven season for the San Diego Chargers, and Kory Lichtensteiger (2008 draft) of the Washington Redskins is starting his ninth NFL season this fall.

So Huettel is the typical "small conference guy" that achieved great success on the field but doesn't wow anybody physically.  But don't misunderstand, he has the size to play in the NFL and his intangibles like durability and versatility gives him an edge.  Like many guys, he is just asking for a chance.