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Evaluating Brandon Scherff’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock After Week 12

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Brandon Scherff Iowa Hawkeyes

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Scherff, the massive (6-foot-5, 315-pound) offensive left tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes, jumped onto the NFL radar during 2013, his junior season and his first full season at tackle. While many scouts agreed that Scherff would have been a first-round pick in last year’s draft, he decided to return to the Hawkeyes for his senior season in 2014.

Having watched Scherff in all 10 Hawkeye games this season, I’ve seen little reason to believe he has done anything but improve his draft stock for the upcoming 2015 NFL draft.

When it comes to preparing offensive lineman for the NFL, you can’t go wrong with the program at the University of Iowa led by head coach Kirk Ferentz. As a offensive line coach for Hayden Fry in the 1980s, 11 lineman coached by Ferentz went on to enjoy long careers in the NFL, including three being drafted in the first round.

Ferentz’ guidance for up-and-coming lineman also benefits from his years spent as an offensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns, as well as years working for Bill Belichick in his pre-New England Patriots days with the Baltimore Ravens. When Ferentz returned as head coach of the Hawkeyes, his emphasis remained on the offensive line, and the team has continued to churn out starting NFL lineman.

Recent high draft picks include Reilly Reiff, a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2012, and Bryan Bulaga, a first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2010. No doubt, Scherff is the next first-round pick coming out of Iowa.

After Week 12 of the 2014 college season, Scherff’s Hawkeyes are sitting at 7-3 and tied for second in the Big Ten West. The bowl-eligible Hawkeyes will be able to showcase their prized lineman in a quality bowl game, which could solidify him as a favorite of NFL scouts. Many draft prospect sites already list Scherff as a top 10 pick and top offensive lineman, including CBSsports.com, which lists him as the potential eighth overall pick and first lineman off the board.

Left tackles are at a premium in the NFL, since they are the blind side protectors of quarterbacks in a league that has foregone the beloved running back for a pass-first approach. Another year under Ferentz has only given more instruction and experience to an already talented player.

With mobile quarterbacks becoming more common in the NFL, Scherff’s time at Iowa in a run-first, play-action pass offense has given him credibility as a lineman capable of moving defenders off the line in the run game, and keeping them away from his quarterback in the passing game.

A likely landing spot could be the Minnesota Vikings, whose last highly-touted offensive draft pick, Matt Kalil out of USC, has struggled mightily in pass protection this season. An upgrade to Scherff to clear the way for Adrian Peterson and protect quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would make a lot of sense.

Paul Kakert is an NFL and Chicago Bears writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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