Eben Britton

Eben Britton has played both offensive tackle positions and brings an exciting combination of speed, wingspan, strength and field intelligence. Pro scouts are likening his ability to the Cleveland Browns' Joe Thomas. Britton's stellar pass-protection skills saw the team's new spread offense begin to jell during the 2007 season. He teamed with tight end Rob Gronkowski to give the Wildcats a devastating blocking tandem. With Willie Tuitama back under center, the Wildcats coaching staff felt that moving their most talented blocker to left tackle was not only a natural, but assured that their quarterback's blind side wasn't a concern. A highly intelligent athlete, Britton was a Scholar-Athlete Award winner and four-time Honor Roll student at John Burroughs High School. Arizona's Creative Writing major also garnered academic recognition while playing for the Wildcats. He comes from a family blessed with athletes, writers, painters and actors. His mother, Abbie, is a journalist and owner of a personal training business. At John Burroughs High School, Britton was named Foothill League co-Lineman of the Year in 2004. He added Los Angeles Times All-Region San Fernando Valley honors and received votes in the Long Beach Press-Telegram's Best in the West poll. The Super Prep All-American and Prep Star All-West product received a four-star rating and was listed among the nation's elite offensive tackles by Max Emfinger's recruiting service. Britton also attained All-State second-team accolades from Cal-Hi Sports during his senior season. He competed in the Cali-Florida All-Star game in Miami, a game that features the nation's top prep stars. He started at left tackle as a senior and on the right side during his first two years on the varsity. He also lettered in basketball and track, setting school records in the shot put and discus during his two seasons with the track squad. During his freshman season at Arizona, Britton became the first Wildcat and the Pac-10 Conference's first freshman to ever keep his assignment off of the stat sheet in three games, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2006. He made 83 knockdowns with 11 touchdown-resulting blocks, as his blocking consistency grade of 84.5 percent was the second-highest in the conference, topped only by Southern California's center, Ryan Kalil (87.38 percent grade). In 2007, Britton established himself as one of the nation's premier pass protectors, as more than 70 percent of the team's offense generated came from his blocks. He led the nation's right tackles with an 86.58 percent grade for blocking consistency, earning All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference recognition. His 15 touchdown-resulting blocks tied Virginia Tech's Eugene Monroe for most by an active NCAA Division 1-A player. Britton earned All-American honorable mention and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team accolades in 2008. He adjusted quickly to his new left tackle position, coming up with a league-high 111 knockdowns while producing 17 touchdown-resulting blocks, also the best total of any offensive lineman in the Pac-10. He graded 85.69 percent for overall blocking consistency, including five games with marks 90 percent or better.