I think Grove will be gone by the middle or in the late 2 nd round,
I really like this guy who we could take with our 4th rounder.
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Pros: A throw-back, hard-nosed, nasty overachiever that is the team leader of an excellent OSU OL. A fierce competitor who gives 100% and has a great work ethic. Plays hurt and does whatever it takes to get the job done.
Cons: Needs to work on footwork, sometimes struggles to finish off assignments, not very athletic. His success comes from his blue-collar work ethics and his tremendous attitude. Being an overachiever isn’t a bad thing. Love this guy.
Draft Exchange Analysis:
A guy who proves you do not have to be as physically gifted as others to succeed. He has tremendous technique and fundamentals, as good as any one in his draft class, and knows how to use them to his advantage. More importantly, I do not think any player works any harder and is willing to give more than this guy to succeed.
In an age of pampered athletes who take things for granted and are of the “modern era” of sports mentality, it is refreshing to see a player like Alex come along and remind us of what football was like in it’s infancy. I have no doubt that if born 50 years earlier, he would have been a great two-way player knocking heads (without a helmet) with any one who dared to enter his area on both offense and defense.
FROM HIS TEAM WEB PAGES:
BUCKEYE NOTES: Heads into his senior year regarded as one of the top centers in college football … has been named to several preseason All-America teams and is the No. 1 college center in the nation according to The Sporting News, which ranks Ohio State’s offensive line as the best in the nation … named to the “watch list” for the Rimington Award (won by Ohio State’s LeCharles Bentley in 2001) and will be a candidate for the Outland Trophy (won by the Buckeyes’ Orlando Pace in 1997) … will be in his second year as a starter … coming off a sensational 2002 season in which he was the Buckeyes most consistent lineman … strong, quick and smart … makes all the calls up front … played at 315 pounds last year, but feels he can be even more effective this year between 295 and 300 … appears to be in the best shape of his career … can also play guard and did so on occasion in 2002 … 17 career starts include three at guard in 2001.
2002 RECAP: Took over for All-American and Rimington Award winner LeCharles Bentley at center and enjoyed an outstanding first year as the starting center … was an iron man, starting every game and leading the offensive line in playing time with 391 minutes, the second highest total on the team … was named OSU offensive lineman of the week following the Washington State, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Penn State, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan games … had no center-quarterback miscues even though he and quarterback Craig Krenzel were both first-year starters.
2001 RECAP: Played in 10 games during the regular season for a total of 131 minutes … started at guard against UCLA, Indiana and South Carolina … played 30 minutes at Michigan when Adrien Clarke moved to right tackle as a replacement for the injured Shane Olivea (broken ankle) … played his best football late in the year.
2000 RECAP: Impressed the coaches early with his quick grasp of the offense … was the first freshman to crack the two-deep … played in seven games.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played offensive guard and defensive end …USA Today Honorable Mention All-American … had 14 sacks as a junior … PERSONAL: His parents are Mark and Tina Stepanovich … his older brother, Nick, wrestled for the Buckeye the past three years ... favorite childhood memory is high school wrestling … would like to visit every college football stadium in the country.