Colin Baxter of Arizona ~ 6.4/295
"Possesses only average size for the position, fails to keep his pad level down in pass protection and simply isn't a real coordinated blocker. Struggles to naturally sit into his stance and allows himself to double over at the waist initially off the ball, which causes him to struggle to keep his feet under him. Allows himself to easily get walked into the backfield and doesn't generate much of a pop on contact. Really doesn't look comfortable using his hands to dictate to blocks and rarely is able to properly extend his arms and gain leverage into contact on opposing linemen.
Isn't a real gifted athlete, has a tendency to get overextended into blocks, stops moving his feet and lacks ideal range when asked to redirect inside. Possesses above-average instincts and does a nice job keeping his head on a swivel. Also, exhibits a good feel at the second level when asked to pull and get out in space, just lacks ideal range. Really seems to lumber trying to reach a target off his frame and doesn't generate much pop on contact as an in-line guy. Isn't real explosive off the snap, struggles to keep his pad level down and is easily stalemated at the point.
Impression: Lacks ideal athleticism or power inside and doesn't play with the type of technique to make up for his limited skill set. Is aided by how quickly the ball is released in the Arizona offense, but looks like nothing more than a camp body."
Isn't a real gifted athlete, has a tendency to get overextended into blocks, stops moving his feet and lacks ideal range when asked to redirect inside. Possesses above-average instincts and does a nice job keeping his head on a swivel. Also, exhibits a good feel at the second level when asked to pull and get out in space, just lacks ideal range. Really seems to lumber trying to reach a target off his frame and doesn't generate much pop on contact as an in-line guy. Isn't real explosive off the snap, struggles to keep his pad level down and is easily stalemated at the point.
Impression: Lacks ideal athleticism or power inside and doesn't play with the type of technique to make up for his limited skill set. Is aided by how quickly the ball is released in the Arizona offense, but looks like nothing more than a camp body."
"Bio: Four-year starter awarded all-Conference honors the last two years. Played both guard and center at Arizona.
Positive: Explosive blocker most effective in motion. Moves well on his feet, quick out to the second level, and seals linebackers from the play. Blocks with good knee bend, effectively adjusts to opponents and knocks defenders from their angle of attack. Displays footwork in space, is quick in all his movements, and uses all his assets to their maximum. Keeps his head on a swivel, effectively leads the offensive line, and is very aware of what's happening on the field.
Negative: Must do a better job correctly placing his hands into defenders. Overextends into blocks on occasion. Not a dominant drive blocker who opens up the middle of the field.
Analysis: Baxter has been a solid player on the college level who has been productive and durable. He's one of the more underrated centers in the draft and is versatile enough to play any of the three interior blocking positions. Baxter offers potential in a zone blocking system and could eventually work his way into a starting lineup as he physically matures and adds strength to his frame."
Positive: Explosive blocker most effective in motion. Moves well on his feet, quick out to the second level, and seals linebackers from the play. Blocks with good knee bend, effectively adjusts to opponents and knocks defenders from their angle of attack. Displays footwork in space, is quick in all his movements, and uses all his assets to their maximum. Keeps his head on a swivel, effectively leads the offensive line, and is very aware of what's happening on the field.
Negative: Must do a better job correctly placing his hands into defenders. Overextends into blocks on occasion. Not a dominant drive blocker who opens up the middle of the field.
Analysis: Baxter has been a solid player on the college level who has been productive and durable. He's one of the more underrated centers in the draft and is versatile enough to play any of the three interior blocking positions. Baxter offers potential in a zone blocking system and could eventually work his way into a starting lineup as he physically matures and adds strength to his frame."
"Positives: Heady, smart, natural leader... Versatile... Adequate pass protector... Reasonably good quickness... Quick into his pass set... Solid lateral range but slide is choppy... Extends his arms reasonably well but doesn't have real long arms... Uses his hands reasonably well... Delivers a solid punch... Adequate strength at POA... Plays physical... Can get to the second level... Solid flexibility and body controlling... Tough, will play hurt... Works to finish his blocks.
Negatives: Gets too upright in pass protection... Sloppy footwork... Allows defenders into his body... Doesn't anchor well versus stronger two gappers... Bends at the waist... Will leave his feet and lunge into blocks... Marginal balance... A little awkward on the move, doesn't break down especially well... More of a get in the way type blocker in space than actual hitter... Coming back from knee surgery."
Negatives: Gets too upright in pass protection... Sloppy footwork... Allows defenders into his body... Doesn't anchor well versus stronger two gappers... Bends at the waist... Will leave his feet and lunge into blocks... Marginal balance... A little awkward on the move, doesn't break down especially well... More of a get in the way type blocker in space than actual hitter... Coming back from knee surgery."
"Overview: Arizona: 3L... The anchor of UA's offense up front as 37-game starter... Team co-captain as junior and voted team Offensive MVP... Second-team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in 2009 and first-team citation from Phil Steele's publication... Rimington Trophy candidate... 12-game starter and focal point of offensive line that rated 10th nationally in pass protection and second in the Pac-10 with only 11 allowed... Spearheads dirty work for balanced offensive unit that averages more than 400 yards per game ... Clearly will be a contender for top national honors as a senior in 2010... 37 consecutive starts, 11 of those at left guard in 2007 and early 2008... Outstanding performance in the classroom... Honorable mention All-Pac-10 in 2008... Took over for injured Blake Kerley in the UCLA game at center (where he had been considered a strong 1-A to begin with), moving from his left guard spot...Started first four at guard, last nine at center... In 2007 he played in opener as backup and won a bigger role, starting final 11 games at left guard... Earned honorable mention Freshman All-America from The Sporting News and third-team honors from CFN.com... Pac-10 All-Freshman by TSN... Honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic in 2007 with a 3.13 GPA... Also was listed as the backup center... Worked with the varsity team and was a travel roster member during his redshirt freshman season in 2006...
Career: 38 games played, 37 starts...
High School: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills, Calif., 2006... SuperPrep All-Farwest for coach Tony Uruburu... Arizona's first commitment in Class of '06, pledging in June '05... First-team CIF Southern Section/AAF defensive unit and first-team CIF Division III, league defensive Player of the Year... Cal-Hi Sports third-team All-State honors... Team played in California Division III semifinals... Named first-team all-area and second-team all-South Bay... Wrestling letterman as heavyweight for Panthers, who won the 2005 CIF Central Division title... As a junior, on defense, he had 40 tackles, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery on defense... Participated in Nike combine spring-summer `05... Finished 10th in the shot put, 12th discus in Bay League 2005 championships... Also played basketball for Peninsula...
Personal: Academic major is regional development... Date of birth: July 31, 1987.
Strengths: Good initial quickness to put himself into position to make blocks. Good use of his hands and locks onto the defender well. Strong punch in pass pro and has enough sand in his pants to anchor versus bull rushers.
Weaknesses: Lacks strength at the POA to push defenders off the LOS. Doesn not possess the lateral agility to slide out and pick up blitzers and stunters well. Plays with inconsistent leverage, occasionally playing with high pads out of his stance.
Projection: UDFA who'll get an opportunity to compete for a roster spot."
Career: 38 games played, 37 starts...
High School: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills, Calif., 2006... SuperPrep All-Farwest for coach Tony Uruburu... Arizona's first commitment in Class of '06, pledging in June '05... First-team CIF Southern Section/AAF defensive unit and first-team CIF Division III, league defensive Player of the Year... Cal-Hi Sports third-team All-State honors... Team played in California Division III semifinals... Named first-team all-area and second-team all-South Bay... Wrestling letterman as heavyweight for Panthers, who won the 2005 CIF Central Division title... As a junior, on defense, he had 40 tackles, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery on defense... Participated in Nike combine spring-summer `05... Finished 10th in the shot put, 12th discus in Bay League 2005 championships... Also played basketball for Peninsula...
Personal: Academic major is regional development... Date of birth: July 31, 1987.
Strengths: Good initial quickness to put himself into position to make blocks. Good use of his hands and locks onto the defender well. Strong punch in pass pro and has enough sand in his pants to anchor versus bull rushers.
Weaknesses: Lacks strength at the POA to push defenders off the LOS. Doesn not possess the lateral agility to slide out and pick up blitzers and stunters well. Plays with inconsistent leverage, occasionally playing with high pads out of his stance.
Projection: UDFA who'll get an opportunity to compete for a roster spot."
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