Marian Central grad Bulaga an instant starter in NFL
Iowa's Bryan Bulaga - a Crystal Lake native and graduate of Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, where he was a Parade All-American - is exactly the kind of offensive lineman the Bears need.
The 6-foot-51/2, 314-pound Bulaga will be an instant starter in the NFL, possibly at guard initially.
But he has the size, strength, athleticism and technique to play left tackle in the NFL, where he played the past two seasons for the Hawkeyes and head coach Kirk Ferentz, who has a long history of sending outstanding offensive linemen to the NFL.
Unfortunately for the Bears, Bulaga will be spoken for one day and about 65 picks before their first choice rolls around at No. 75 overall.
Even after battling thyroiditis last fall, which sidelined him for three games and left him in a weakened condition for another three weeks after he returned to the lineup, Bulaga established himself as a probable top-10 pick.
The illness, a viral infection that causes loss of stamina, fatigue and increased heart rate, is in the past, although at the scouting combine every team he interviewed with asked Bulaga about it.
"The effects of it lingered on into the season," he said. "Not being able to lift or work out or do anything those three weeks. It took me awhile to get back into full game shape. I've been checked by doctors at the Mayo Clinic and by my doctor at the University of Iowa, both endocrinologists. I've been cleared by both of them."
In a strong class that boasts an abundance of highly regarded offensive tackles, there might be as many as eight offensive linemen selected in the first round.
Realistic options for the Bears at No. 75 (or with their fourth-round pick, 109th overall) are Illinois guard Jon Asamoah and Utah guard-tackle Zane Beadles.
Asamoah, from south suburban Park Forest and Rich East High School, started at right guard for the Illini in each of their 37 games over the previous three seasons.
Beadles started 12 games at left guard as a freshman and 38 at left tackle in his final three years. He probably projects to guard for most teams but might have enough size (6-4½, 310 pounds) and agility for right tackle.
Asamoah made the Big Ten's 2009 All-Academic team thanks to the importance his parents, Geraldine Terstegge and Samuel Asamoah, placed on performing in the classroom.
"They about made me give up my sports in high school because of my calculus grade," he said. "And (it was) my senior year. I was getting threatened by my father."
Asamoah also has learned the value of nutrition from his father, a native of Ghana, who is diabetic and required a liver transplant last year.
"My dad's had diabetes since he was about my age, and he didn't take care of it, until one day when I was in third grade," Asamoah said.
"He had a big episode and hasn't been able to work ever since. It taught me about taking care of your body. We don't have sweets around the house. I'm big, but it wasn't because of sweets. I must just eat a lot."
Top 10 offensive linemenOT Russell Okung, Oklahoma StateOT Bryan Bulaga, IowaOT Trent Williams, OklahomaC Maurkice Pouncey, FloridaOG Mike Iupati, IdahoOT Vladimir Ducasse, MassachusettsOT Anthony Davis, RutgersOT Roger Saffold, IndianaOT Bruce Campbell, MarylandOT Charles Brown, USCLeGere's overview: There's a boatload of talent at tackle this year, and NFL teams almost always overvalue tackles, especially those who can play on the left side and protect a right-handed quarterback's blind side.It wouldn't be a surprise to see six or maybe seven tackles come off the board in the first round.The elite talent is much, much thinner at guard and center, although the top-rated guard, Iupati, and the No. 1 center, Pouncey, will be first-round picks.There is solid depth at guard and at tackle, which should allow teams to acquire potential starters through the fourth round. That's good news for the Bears, who need to get younger and more talented along the O-line.False105145Bryan Bulaga False