Joel Bitonio

Bitonio chose Nevada over offers from Fresno State and San Jose State, and saw action as a reserve in all 14 games in 2010 following his redshirt year. Bitonio took over a starting tackle job as a sophomore that he would never relinquish. He started 14 games in 2011 and earned honorable mention All-Mountain West honors the following season while starting opposite fellow tackle Jeff Nady. With Nady off to the NFL, Bitonio emerged as a first-team all-conference tackle in 2013.

strengths

Highly effective collegiate left tackle who combines good quickness, strength and tenacity. More athletic than he looks, demonstrating light feet and balance to quickly fan outside to handle speed rushers. Plays on the balls of his feet and shows good lateral agility to mirror edge rushers.

compares to

Marshall Newhouse, Green Bay Packers - Like the 6-4, 319-pound Newhouse, Bitonio's size looks better on paper than it does on tape, where his less-than-ideal arm length and thick middle seem to project best to guard. Also like Newhouse, however, Bitonio is surprisingly athletic and a savvy, competitive football player, who'll carve out a niche somewhere.

weaknesses

Doesn't possess the ideal length or build to remain at left tackle in the NFL and may be best served moving inside to guard - a position he never played at Nevada. Appears to have shorter-than-ideal arms, an issue that explains why Bitonio occasionally falls off blocks or is beaten with an effective over-arm swim move. Can get fundamentally lazy and stop moving his feet, allowing himself to get over-extended.

strong hands to latch onto defenders and usually contains them throughout the play. good quickness for the down block and in getting to the second level in the running game. shows impressive power to drive defenders off the line and will knock them to the ground when he feels them off-balance.

Competitive. Doesn't give up on the play, even if beaten initially. Handled top competition when given the opportunity, including in one-on-one matchups against UCLA's Anthony Barr.

A graduate of Long Beach (Calif.) Wilson Classical High School

Was a three-year letterman for coach Mario Morales

Was a two-sport star as a three-year letterwinner in basketball as well

As a senior, was named to the Long Beach Telegram's Dream Team for football and basketball

Was a two-time all-league selection and was the Moore League Lineman of the Year as a senior

Was a first-team all-conference selection and was named second-team all-state by maxpreps.com

Also lettered in track as a senior and led the league in the shot put.

Born Joel Michael Bitonio on Oct. 11, 1991 in San Pedro, Calif.

Son of Debbie and the late Mike Bitonio

Has an older sister, Katie, and a younger brother, Lucas

Is majoring in civil engineering

Sports hero is Kobe Bryant

Choose Nevada because of the direction of the program, the atmosphere and the academic reputation of the school

Was also recruited by Fresno State and San Jose State, among others

Enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, listening to music and going to the beach in his free time.