We're bringing you college highlights of the top center prospects entering the 2016 NFL Draft based on Mike Mayock's top five position-by-position post-combine rankings.
RYAN KELLY, ALABAMA
Height: 6-4, Weight: 311
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Kelly had big shoes to fill when he took over for Rimington Trophy winner Barrett Jones in 2013, but he's handled the pressure quite well. A taller, athletic pivot, Kelly was voted honorable mention All-SEC by league media as a junior, and even won the team's Offensive Player of the Week award twice during the year. He followed that up with a consensus first-team all-conference senior year, leading the way for a Heisman Trophy winner in back Derrick Henry and protecting quarterback Jake Coker on the way to the national title game.
NICK MARTIN, NOTRE DAME
Height: 6-4, Weight: 299
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Teams already know what to expect from Nick, as his brother Zack excelled in his first two seasons with Dallas after being selected in the first round in 2014. Nick will bring versatility along with the family toughness to an NFL team. He moves between center and guard without an issue (started at left guard 10 games in 2014, three games at center that year as well as most of 2013 and all of 2015), displaying a strong anchor in pass pro and nimble feet to attack linebackers in the run game. Teams envying the Cowboys' prodigious but athletic front line should consider picking up this Golden Domer.
MAX TUERK, USC
Height: 6-5, Weight: 298
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Going into the season, it appears this Trojan was on a path similar to the versatile Cameron Erving, the No. 19 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 draft. Tuerk has started at nearly every place along the line for the Trojans. He is a bit taller and more slender than most pro pivots, but that may still be his best spot given that he used his mobility and tenacity to earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2014. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in October and will have to prove himself before the draft to maximize his grades.
EVAN BOEHM, MISSOURI
Height: 6-2, Weight: 309
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
One of the top offensive line recruits in the country coming out of high school, Boehm stepped right onto the field for the Tigers in 2012 -- and hasn't left the lineup since. He started 52 straight games for head coach Gary Pinkel, playing freshman year at left guard and then three straight years in the pivot. Boehm is a thick interior lineman who has a strong anchor and can move his feet well for the position, portending a long NFL career.
GRAHM GLASGOW, MICHIGAN
Height: 6-6, Weight: 307
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Left guard, right guard, center: wherever he lines up, Glasgow is a tough blocker that shows enough mobility to make creases for running backs. Glasgow started at right guard as a junior before moving into the pivot for 2015 after incumbent Jack Miller ended his football career due to concussions. Glasgow's nine starts there in 2013 made it an easier move, allowing him to lead a rejuvenated Michigan offense and garner consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten honors with his play.
JACK ALLEN, MICHIGAN STATE
Height: 6-1, Weight: 294
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
When an NFL offensive line coach sees that a young lineman was a high school wrestler, a smile comes across his face. Grappling in the trenches is what a lineman does -- and is something at which Allen excels. The former Illinois state title holder at 285 pounds is not the largest center in the country, but no other "man in the middle" matches this four-year starter's toughness, anchor, and aggressive nature. The two-time USA Today All-American missed a couple of games with an ankle injury in 2015, but came back to help his team to a Big Ten title.
