Alex Linnenkohl

Linnenkohl dealt with adversity early in his life, losing his mother to breast cancer when he was young. But instead of sticking close to home for college, he decided to expand his horizons a bit by going to Corvallis after earning high school all-state honors in Washington as a junior and senior. His presence on the offensive line helped OSU star running back Jacquizz Rodgers rack up over 1,000 yards the past three years. Linnenkohl played only two games as a redshirt freshman behind incumbent Kyle DeVan, but stepped in admirably in 2008 to start all 13 games. He received honorable mention All-Pac-10 notice for his junior season play, and second-team all-conference accolades in 2010, starting every game during those two seasons. Scouts appreciate Linnenkohl's intelligence (three-time Academic All-Pac-10) and toughness in the pivot, though his average athleticism and below-average length limit his upside as a dominant NFL center. A team in need of a developmental lineman might see enough potential in his game to use a late-round pick for his services.

positives

Sturdy pivot man whose low center of gravity aids him in leverage. Does not get moved off the spot by bull rushers very often. Extends arms immediately after snap in pass pro, maintains distance from defender. Strong help for guards when uncovered, extends arms to get push when tackle's shoulders are turned. Has some mobility to get in front of screens. Coaches laud him for his strong character, toughness, leadership, and work ethic. Plays through pain.

negatives

Limited athlete. Average strength, cannot move defensive tackles with his upper body. Backs up in pass protection instead of attacking defenders. Not big enough to shoulder tackles in zone scheme. Lacks length to keep defenders from getting off (or even preventing) his blocks to catch ballcarriers coming through the hole. Inconsistent hitting linebackers on combo or targets in space, too often resorts to a shove while losing his balance or poor cut block. Lacks recovery speed, finds it difficult to find defender once punched off. Sometimes misses delayed blitzers up the middle.

CAPITAL: Rivals.com three-star athlete

rated the 14th best center in the country

first team all-state as a junior and senior

rated the third best snapper in the summer of 2005 at the Ray Guy Camp

participated in summer camps in 2005 at Wake Forest, Washington, Washington State, Idaho and Oregon

preseason all-state selection by the Seattle Times as a senior

second team All Narrows Bay as sophomore

Tacoma News Tribune All-Area First Team as a junior and an All-Area selection by The Olympian

Tacoma News Tribune Honorable Mention NW Nuggets Team

listed 29th on the Scout.com Northwest Hot 100.

Born March 17, 1988 in Olympia, Wash.

son of Bill and the late Vikki Linnenkohl

Bill, a physical therapist, played football at Puget Sound after transferring from the Air Force Academy and is a retired Lt. Col

While at Puget Sound Bill was named an All-American linebacker in 1975 and is in the UPS Hall of Fame

his brother Brett was an outfielder at Wake Forest University (graduated in 2008) and in June (2010) was accepted into the Johns Hopkins' Masters Program for psychology and counseling

has two sisters, Kyla and Jamie, both are studying in the nursing profession

chose OSU because of the "academics, coaching staff and location"

majoring in business administration and will graduate in December.