Jack Conklin

Conklin was a late bloomer and couldn't garner any attention as a high school recruit, but worked his way to a scholarship at Michigan State and is now a legitimate first-round prospect - he would be the first Spartans offensive lineman drafted in the opening round since Tony Mandarich (1989). Conklin missed two games in 2015 as a junior, starting 12 games at left tackle and earning First Team All-Big Ten and All-America honors. Conklin was All-Big Ten and All-American as a redshirt junior and opted to enter the NFL draft, a considerable climb four years after arriving in East Lansing as a preferred walk-on and redshirt. Despite being the son of a former Michigan offensive lineman and high school head coach, Conklin went criminally under-recruited, receiving only one scholarship offer, but from Division II Wayne State. He planned to play the 2012 season at Fork Union Military School until Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio took another look at Conklin's tape, inviting him to walk on with the promise that he could earn a scholarship in 2013. After redshirting in 2012 in East Lansing, Conklin established himself as the starting left tackle. He started the next 40 games.

in our view

Conklin is powerful and quick-minded to read/react in a flash and dominate in tight spaces, but he doesn't have the quick-twitch body control to consistently mirror in space. He's not a top-shelf athlete and will struggle with edge speed at times, but no one is going through him due to his wide base and contact balance.

strengths

Well-built with excellent core strength and center of gravity to stay balanced through contact. Wide base with lower body power to control the point of attack. Strong upper body and hands to jolt and steer defenders as a run blocker. Works hard to keep spacing with his reach. Controlled in space and picks up edge speed, sinking his hips to anchor. Rarely plays in reverse. Smart and instinctive, understanding protections and using his eyes to pick up extra pressures. Feisty and always looking for someone to block, displaying a dependable playing temperament. Accomplished three year starter with experience on both sides of the line of scrimmage (38 career starts).

compares to

Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati Bengals - Due to his lack of ideal range and lateral quickness, many doubted Whitworth could consistently start at left tackle in the NFL, but he uses his wide base and core power to control edge speed, similar to Conklin at Michigan State.

weaknesses

Adequate length, but doesn't play like it, allowing rushers into his body at times in an attempt to control them. Not a light mover and slow to recover once rushers gain a step. Tends to get his feet tied up in his outside kickslide, lunging and falling off balance. Will open up prematurely and struggle in space. Not a rangy player and too often late to climb to the second level. Technique tends to break down vs. speed. Medical reports are important - suffered a left knee sprain (Sept. 2015) and missed two games.

he is always in a ready position and rarely seems surprised, which compensates for his lack of elite quickness in pass protection. conklin is well-coached, physical and a natural competitor, which makes him nfl ready from day one.

--Dane Brugler (2/6/16)

Three-year starter for his father Darren Conklin at Plainwell (Michigan) High School . . . honorable mention all-state selection by The Associated Press and The Detroit News as a senior . . . earned first-team All-Wolverine Conference and first-team All-Allegan County honors in 2011 . . . Kalamazoo Gazette Division 1-4 first-team all-area selection as a senior . . . two-way starter saw action at right tackle and defensive end in 2011 . . . led the Trojans in tackles with 80 as a senior . . . recorded 12 tackles for loss, including two sacks . . . registered a career-best 11 stops vs. Edwardsburg . . . two-year starter at center for the Trojan basketball team . . . averaged a double-double as a senior (17.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game) . . . contributed 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds as a junior . . . also lettered in track (shot put and discus) . . . member of the National Honor Society . . . son of Darren and Jennifer Conklin . . . born Aug. 17, 1994 . . . majoring in interdisciplinary studies in social science -- human capital and society . . . spent 2 and 1/2 weeks in Australia (June-July 2015), participating in MSU's study abroad International Summer Sports Program.