As the NFL draft nears, USA TODAY High School Sports will look back at the high school careers and draft prospects for former American Family Insurance ALL-USA selections. Today’s installment features Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
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Laremy Tunsil and his family after announcing that he will be attending the University of Mississippi on signing day in 2013 (Photo: Rob Foldy, USA TODAY Sports)
PLAYER PROFILE:
Position: Offensive tackle
High school: Columbia (Lake City, Fla.)
ALL-USA history: Named to the American Family Insurance first team in 2012. Helped Columbia run for 275 yards per game en route to the Class 6A state quarterfinals. Ranked as nation’s No. 3 overall recruit by 247Sports.com, No. 5 byESPN.com, No. 7 by Scout.com and MaxPreps and No. 14 by Rivals.com, according to his Ole Miss bio.
College: Ole Miss
Height, weight: 6-5, 310 pounds
Laremy Tunsil runs through a drill during the University of Mississippi’s Pro Day (Photo: Bruce Newman, The Oxford Eagle via Associated Press)
Draft positives: Elite foot speed and short-area quickness. Good balance and body control. Times his handwork well and will lock on while keeping his legs driving. Good knee bender. Beats the blocker to the edge consistently with a good set up. Dominant run blocker when he is on the move. Fast twitch from head to toe.
Draft negatives: Will become sloppy with technique as games wear on with his technique. Too reliant on talent. Loses leverage battles. Needs more strength, lacks the heavy hands. Gets beat across his face.
Round: 1
What he says: “You always want to labeled the best. You want to have that confidence in yourself. I think I have the great feet, the great frame. I just think I’m the best (tackle in the draft). You’ve got to have that swagger about yourself. You’ve got to be confident. Everywhere you go you’ve got to have that confidence.”