Christian Westerman

Westerman started 25 games for the Sun Devils over the past two seasons, emerging as a second team all-conference player as a senior. He earned three letters at ASU after the Chandler, Ariz. transferred back home following two years at Auburn, where he redshirted in 2011 and appeared in two games the following year. Westerman wasn't an immediate contributor for the Sun Devils, seeing his first game action in the team's bowl game against Texas Tech in 2013. He took over as the starting left guard in 2014, earning honorable mention all-conference accolades while starting 12 games. He started all 13 games as a senior and was voted second team All-Pac-12.

walton began his career at arizona state before transferring to baylor, with westerman initially signing (and playing two games) at auburn before moving back "home" to asu. westerman is stronger than walton but possesses a similar combination of short-area quickness, balance and tenacity, which could make him a future starter in the nfl.

IN OUR VIEW

weaknesses

Too often gets caught up in the trash when blocking on the move, lacking the preferred quickness and agility to consistently reach and secure the second level. Doesn't possess ideal length for guard and could struggle with the swim moves from the longer-armed defensive tackles of the NFL. Size limitations may ultimately force him to be moved inside to center, a position he never played at the collegiate level.

westerman sports a relatively compact frame with his weight evenly distributed over his frame. he is an active, competitive blocker with the quick, light feet to shuffle laterally in pass protection, as well as the natural knee bend, core strength and balance to anchor.

Westerman has a terrific initial punch out of his stance to quickly get to work, extending and using his length to lock out and control the chest of defenders. He possesses the upper-body strength to turn defenders from run lanes with quick hands to react to counter moves by interior rushers. He plays with awareness and tenacity, keeping his head on a swivel to react to surprise blitzes.

westerman isn't the most imposing offensive lineman in the 2016 nfl draft, but his power, agility and tenacity will certainly earn him plenty of fans among coaches. his lack of ideal size could ultimately push him inside to center.

--Rob Rang (2/5/16)

strengths

Westerman is well known for his weight-room strength, reportedly bench pressing 225 pounds 41 times in one sitting before his senior season. Reliable. Competitive, passionate player who started 25 of the past 26 games for the Sun Devils over the past two seasons.

compares to

J.D. Walton, San Diego Chargers

One of the most sought after high school football recruits in Arizona history out of Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton High School

Widely regarded as a five-star prospect as a high school senior and is one of the most highly rated recruits ever to join the Sun Devil football program

Was the top recruit in the state of Arizona his senior year

Named the nation's No. 2 offensive tackle and the No. 6 player nationally by ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc

.Ranked as the nation's No. 1 offensive guard and the No. 17 player in the nation by Scout.com

Remains the top rated offensive high school prospect from Arizona since Scout.com began its ratings in 2002

Rated as the No. 3 offensive tackle in the nation, the No. 1 recruit from Arizona and the No. 26 player overall nationally by 247Sports

Listed as the nation's No. 3 offensive tackle, the No. 1 player in the state of Arizona and the No. 27 player in the nation overall by Rivals.com

Ranked as the nation's No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 16 overall prospect in the MaxPreps Top 100

Named to the PrepStar Dream Team as the No. 8-ranked player in the nation ..Named an All-American, the nation's No. 2 offensive lineman and the No. 2 recruit from Arizona by SuperPrep, and the No. 21 overall player nationally in the SuperPrep Elite 50

Selected to play in the 2011 Under Armour All-American game following his senior season

Named to USA Today's All-USA first team offense

Listed on Associated Press' Top 25 best players in the West Helped lead his team to back to back undefeated junior and senior year seasons with an overall record of 29-0

Earned All-Arizona honors by the Arizona Republic in 2009 and 2010

Was a teammate of Sun Devils Jaxon Hood and Anthony Jones at Hamilton High

Was a starter on three consecutive state champion teams for the Huskies

Had a multitude of scholarship offers as a senior at Hamilton High including ones from schools such as Alabama, California, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, UCLA and USC in addition to ASU and Auburn.

Son of Christian Westerman, Sr. and Jodie Westerman

Born Feb. 23, 1993