Jonathan Luigs

Much like the Pac-10 Conference, where California's Alex Mack and Oregon's Max Unger battled for the title of that league's premier center, Luigs had a similar situation, as he and Alabama's Antoine Caldwell split All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors over their last three seasons. While the Pac-10 duo is known for their physicality, the SEC tandem is known more for their quickness and field savvy. The two-time All-American was a three-time finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's top center. He captured that honor as a junior and has been the centerpiece of the Razorback's front wall, compiling a string of 49 consecutive starts, every game he appeared in at Arkansas. He has also excelled in the classroom, as he was a member of the school's Academic Honor Roll in each of his last four seasons. At Pulaski Academy, Luigs was a three-year starter on the offensive line, lining up at center and offensive tackle, as well as defensive end. He was named to the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas team as a senior, adding All-Metro squad honors as a junior. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. Luigs was the 2003 recipient of the Brandon Burlsworth Award, named after the former Razorback All-American offensive guard. Super Prep rated him as the 12th-best overall prospect in Arkansas while The Morning News had him rated 14th. In each of his three varsity seasons, he graded at least 90 percent for blocking consistency. As a senior, Luigs capped his prep career by helping his squad win its first state title (Class 3A) in school history with a 13-2 mark. As a junior defensive tackle, he recorded 77 tackles (26 solos), four sacks, three more stops for losses of 30 yards and two pressures. Luigs was heavily recruited by Louisiana State, Memphis, Alabama, Iowa, Kansas State and Nebraska, but decided to enroll at Arkansas. He spent the 2004 season on the scout team, seeing action mostly as an offensive guard, but also performed at center. In 2005, the redshirt freshman earned Freshman All-American and Freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors. He started 10 games, lining up at right guard in seven contests and at center in three late-season clashes. He sat out the Alabama game with a high ankle sprain, but went on to register 53 knockdowns with eight touchdown-resulting blocks, posting an 84.2 percent grade for blocking consistency. Luigs was a Rimington Trophy finalist, adding All-SEC first-team and All-American second-team honors in 2006. He made 34 knockdowns with seven touchdown-resulting blocks. He graded 85.1 percent for a running attack that led the conference and ranked fourth in the nation with an average of 228.5 yards per game on the ground. He led the team in knockdowns three times, as he was part of a front wall that led the major college ranks, giving up just nine quarterback sacks for the campaign. He also recorded one tackle. Luigs captured the Rimington Trophy in 2007 and shared the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy (conference's top offensive lineman) with Alabama's Andre Smith. The consensus All-American first-team choice was credited with a career-high 84 knockdowns and led the league's interior linemen with 14 touchdown-resulting blocks. With their center leading the way, the Razorbacks again led the SEC and ranked fourth in the country with an average of 286.54 yards per game rushing. Arkansas also ranked second in the league and 17th nationally in total offense with an average of 450.0 yards per game. With both Darren McFadden and Felix Jones having left Arkansas for the NFL, the team's once formidable running game came to a screeching halt in 2008. Luigs was again named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, but lost out to Alabama's Antoine Caldwell for first-team All-SEC honors. He delivered 66 knockdowns and graded 85.42 percent for blocking consistency. But the Hogs finished 97th in the nation in rushing (113.5 ypg). The team's offensive line was the main problem, as the front wall placed 118th among the 119 major colleges, allowing 46 sacks for the season.

strengths

Prototype size for the position. Rare athleticism. Good burst off the snap and can block on the move. Quickly moves his feet to get the appropriate angle on his man. Gets to the second level quickly as a run and pass blocker. Good initial quickness as a pass blocker. Settles well and plays with good balance. Equally effective snapping in the shotgun or traditional quarterback exchange. Cerebral player who makes the line calls and adjusts well to unexpected blitzes and defensive alignments.

weaknesses

Relies on quickness and technique rather than pure strength to generate movement at the point of attack, and can be stalemated by bigger, stronger defenders. Can be tossed aside after initial hit. Struggles to remain engaged with defenders when blocking at the second level, and will miss targets altogether. Leans forward too far at times to reach his man, keeping Luigs off balance.

2005: Suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter vs. Southern California (9/17), missing the final three quarters and the following week vs. Alabama (9/24). 2007: Missed three days of August practice (8/20-22) due a virus...Was shaken up on a helmet-to-helmet collision vs. Kentucky (9/22), missing two plays before returning to the game.

Campus: 5.14 in the 40-yard dash

1.77 10-yard dash

2.97 20-yard dash

4.78 20-yard shuttle

8.01 three-cone drill

25-inch vertical jump

8'2" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times. Combine: 5.14 in the 40-yard dash

8'3" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times

31 1/4-inch arm length

9 1/4-inch hands.

Attended Pulaski (Little Rock, Ark.) Academy, playing football for head coach Kevin Kelley

Three-year starter on the offensive line, lining up at both center and offensive tackle, as well as playing defensive end

Named to the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas team as a senior, adding All-Metro squad honors as a junior

Also a member of the National Honor Society

2003 recipient of the Brandon Burlsworth Award, named after the former Razorback All-American offensive guard

Super Prep rated him as the 12th-best overall prospect in Arkansas while The Morning News had him rated 14th

In each of his three varsity seasons, he graded at least 90 percent for blocking consistency

As a senior, Luigs capped his prep career by helping his squad win its first state title (Class 3A) in school history with a 13-2 mark

As a junior defensive tackle, he recorded 77 tackles (26 solos), four sacks, three more stops for losses of 30 yards and two pressures.

Transportation and Logistics major

Member of Arkansas' Lon Farrell Academic Honor Roll for Fall 2006 and the 2004-05 academic year

Also named a Hard Working Hog for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years

Son of Yvonne and Gary Luigs

Born 8/11/86

Resides in Little Rock, Arkansas.