2014 NFL Draft Prospects: Centers

The top 2014 center prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft. * - denotes 2015 prospect. ** - denotes 2016 prospect.

This page was last updated May 11, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: draftcampbell@gmail.com
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1. Bryan Stork, C, Florida State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 312.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
   5/11/13: Stork has been coached extremely well at Florida State. He was an excellent run-blocker the past two seasons and has steadily improved his pass protection. Stork saw some playing time at right guard as a redshirt freshman in 2010. He took over at guard the next season for graduated All-American Rodney Hudson. Stork was moved to center after four games and has stayed in the middle of the Seminoles' line.
   
   Stork had an excellent 2012 season protecting quarterback E.J. Manuel and opening up holes in the ground game. Stork looks like he has the quickness and athleticism to play in a zone-blocking system at the next level, but still retains enough size and strength for a man-blocking system.
   
   Stork starting experience at guard means he could play guard or center in the NFL. The latter looks like his best position, however. Florida State actaully worked Stork at offensive tackle during the spring before the 2012 season, but didn't need to play the junior on the edge in 2012. Still, Stork has some versatility. He played tight end in high school.



2. Russell Bodine*, C, North Carolina
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.11.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
   5/11/13: Bodine first saw playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2011. He had two starts at center and graded out highly. Bodine took over last year and had a strong season. He did a good job of run blocking for Gio Bernard and formed a dangerous interior with guard Jonathan Cooper. Bodine also was a reliable pass-protector for Bryn Renner. Bodine's job will be more difficult as a junior since Cooper is now in the NFL.
   
   Personal: Exercise and sport science major. Son of Gail and Brian Bodine.





3. Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 305.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
   Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
   5/11/13: Swanson has started all 38 games of his collegiate career so far; he was a standout blocker in the SEC the past three seasons. The junior was a Second-Team All-SEC selection in 2012.
   
   Swanson has done an admirable job in pass protection as the Razorbacks have fielded a 3,000-yard passer each year. He also did a good job in run blocking, especially in 2010 when running back Knile Davis was healthy.
   
   Swanson should be poised for an interesting season in 2013 playing for Brett Bielma with some young talent at running back. It would help Swanson to continue to add some strength for the NFL. However, he is a well-rounded blocker who could turn into a starting center in the NFL.
   
   Personal: Son of Todd and Gina Swanson.



4. Gabe Ikard, C/G, Oklahoma
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 295.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
   Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
   5/11/13: Ikard consistently won his blocks in 2012 and is a well-rounded player. He had a rough game against Notre Dame with some botched snaps and struggled to block the Fighting Irish's tough front seven. Ikard played well against Texas and Oklahoma State. His pass protection is well-developed.
   
   Ikard started 11 games as a freshman in 2010. He was selected as a First-Team All-Freshman All-American by numerous media outlets and was named an honorable mention All-Big XII by the AP.
   
   Ikard was an All-Big XII first-teamer in 2011, splitting time between guard and center. Starting center Ben Habern missed multiple games with a broken arm, and Ikard filled in with seven starts at center. He returned to left guard for the final three games. With Habern retiring from football, Ikard took over at center in 2012.
   
   Center is probably the better position for Ikard in the NFL as he is undersized for guard. Ikard has a good skill set, but he needs to add some bulk and power to his game, along with making general improvements from simply gaining experience. Ikard was an Academic All-American in 2011 and graded out the highest of any of Oklahoma's offensive linemen including Habern, Donald Stephenson and Lane Johnson.
   
   Personal: Son of Jim and Becky Ikard. Academic standout in zoology.





5. Jonotthan Harrison, C, Florida
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 295.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
   Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
   5/11/13: Harrison played well for Florida in 2012 and did a good job of blocking for Mike Gillislee. Harrison exceled against LSU, but struggled against Georgia. He had a tremendous game versus Florida State and helped gash a good Seminoles' defense. The Gators had a lot of success running straight down the middle behind the junior.
   
   Harrison made a good decision to return for his senior season. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but he is a good sleeper prospect. Harrison broke into the lineup in 2011, recording starts at center and guard.



6. James Stone, C, Tennessee
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.16.
   Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
   5/11/13: Stone earned a spot in the starting lineup in 2010. The freshman started five games at center and three at left guard. He found a home at center in 2011, starting in the middle for 11 games and once at left guard. Stone played continued to show improvement in 2012 as he was very solid for Tennessee. The Volunteers averaged 475.9 yards per game with 315.6 yards per game through the air last year.
   
   The Volunteers' offensive line allowed just eight sacks in 2012. Stone did a good job of keeping a clean pocket for Tyler Bray. Stone looks like a better pass-blocker than run-blocker at this point, but his run blocking was better year over year in 2012. He may best in a zone-blocking scheme in the NFL.
   
   Personal: Communications major. Son of Nacy Drumgoode.





7. Tyler Larsen, C, Utah State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 312.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.16.
   Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
   5/11/13: Larsen has been Aggies' starter at center for the past three seasons and was a First-Team All-WAC selection as a sophomore and junior. He tied for the team lead with an 86 percent overall grade in 2012. Utah State actually evaluated him as carrying out the correct assignment on 97 percent of his snaps with four games at 100 percent. Larsen has some power to his game and could be a nice fit in a man-blocking system. He missed the 2009 season with a knee injury.
   
   Personal: Interdisciplinary studies major. Son of LeRoy and Barbara Larsen.



8. David Andrews*, C, Georgia
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 295.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
   Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
   5/11/13: Andrews did a nice job replacing Ben Jones in 2012. Andrews helped open up a lot of running lanes and did his part to protect quarterback Aaron Murray. The Bulldogs have some talented young running backs who should help Andrews to look good in 2013. The first-year starter improved in both his run blocking and pass blocking as 2012 progressed. He could use more bulk for the NFL and probably should stay for his senior season in 2014.
   
   Personal: Agribusiness major.



9. Hroniss Grasu*, C, Oregon
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 294.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
   5/11/13: Grasu is a quick and athletic center who is a perfect fit in Oregon's high-paced attack. He moves well and has done a fantastic job as a run-blocker the past two seasons. Grasu was an All-Freshman selection by many media outlets in 2011. The only game that the sophomore really struggled in during 2012 was against Stanford. The Cardinal's powerful linemen gave him some problems which illustrated that Grasu could use more strength for the NFL.
   
   Personal: Business major. Son of Steve and Mariana.



10. Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 297.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
    Projected Round (2014): 6-7.
    5/11/13: Richburg has been one of the top centers in the nation for the past three seasons. He enters his senior year with 36 straight starts. Richburg was a candidate for the 2012 Rimington Trophy given to the nation's top center. The junior graded out at 90 percent and wasn't called for one penalty last year. He took over as the Rams' starting center in 2011 and was a Second-Team All-Mountain West selection.
    
    Richburg, a freshman, started all 12 games in 2010 - three at guard and nine at center. He should continue to add strength for the NFL.
    
    Personal: Animal science major. Son of Danny and Ruth Richburg.



11. Andrew Miller, C, Virginia Tech
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 293.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
    Projected Round (2014): 6-FA.
    5/11/13: Miller's 2012 season was cut short after seven games when he went down with a season-ending ankle injury. Virginia Tech missed him while he was out. He had an excellent debut at center in 2011. The first-year starter did a superb job in run blocking for running back David Wilson and quarterback Logan Thomas. The Hokies had a lot of success running up the middle, and Miller was a big part of that.
    
    The redshirt senior is a leader of the program and needs a big season to get get drafted. Miller also needs to add more weight to his frame.
    
    Personal: Agribusiness major. Son of Johnny Miller and the late Linda Miller.



12. Macky MacPherson, C, Syracuse
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 286.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
    Projected Round (2014): 7-FA.
    5/11/13: MacPherson is a solid blocker, but is extremely undersized. He had a strong 2012 season blocking for Ryan Nassib. MacPherson did a nice job of keeping a clean pocket. He broke into the starting lineup in 2011 as a sophomore.
    
    MacPherson really needs to add some bulk for the NFL. Helping him to appeal to scouts is his long-snapping ability. Even if the senior can add weight, he only really projects to a zone-blocking scheme.
    
    Personal: Geography major. Son of Maureen MacPherson. Grandson of former Syracuse head coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Dick MacPherson.

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Smokey's Bandit 05-09-2013 04:14 pm xxx.xxx.xxx23.2 (total posts: 1) 6     3 Watch out for Zach Morgan, #65 from Tulane. 5th year senior was redshirted last year due to a shoulder injury, but will be destroying people this year. Has started all but two games in his college career. Pages: 1

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