Jon Asamoah, OG

A three-year starter at right offensive guard, Asamoah has the mobility, balance, size, strength and quickness that National Football League teams crave in an interior line blocker.

Despite the team's erratic offensive showing the last two seasons Asamoah was a model of consistency. In his last 24 games, he registered 187 knockdowns/key blocks, adding 24 touchdown-resulting blocks and 12 downfield blocks. One of the elite pass protectors at his position, he allowed only four quarterback sacks and four pressures on 724 pass plays since the beginning of his junior campaign.

With lofty performances that included blocking consistency grades of 85% or better in eight of his 12 2009 contests, it was mysterious why he was only awarded with All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors during his senior year. It is obvious that the coaches voting for that all-star team did not consult with their defensive linemen who had to battle the physical drive blocker in the trenches.

Still, NFL talent evaluators took notice. Rated the second-best offensive guard prospect eligible for the 2010 draft, he was one of three Illini to receive an NFL Scouting Combine invitation. Before arriving in Indianapolis, he was also invited to compete in the prestigious Senior Bowl. But on the first day of practice, in one-on-one drills, Asamoah suffered a hairline fracture of his right scapula (shoulder) and was forced to withdraw from the game. Even though surgery was not required, he also had to sit out agility test drills at the Combine.

Asamoah attended Rich East High School, where he was a two-time first-team All-South Inter-Athletic Association Conference selection and helped the offense to gain over 3,100 rushing yards as a senior. He was an All-State and All-Area choice by the Chicago Sun-Times, and an All-Midwest Region pick by Prep Star.

Asamoah received a two-star prospect rating from Rivals.com. The two-time Academic All-State pick was a Wendy's High School Heisman Nominee for outstanding achievement in athletics, academics and the community. He also earned the Cook County Circuit Court- Black History Award for academics and community service. In addition to lettering in football, he also lettered three times in basketball at Rich East High.

Most of the Midwest colleges tried to recruit Asamoh, but he chose Illinois over Northern Illinois, Cincinnati, Bowling Green and Ball State. He originally committed to Northern Illinois, but reconsidered his choice after he received an offer by Illinois, as he always had a desire to play for head coach Ron Zook.

In his initial year at Illinois, Asamoah was brought along slowly, as the staff was considering letting him red-shirt. But, his solid performances with the scout team led to the coaches playing the freshman in five of the Illini's final six games, as he logged a total of 48 offensive snaps.

Asamoah returned to claim the right guard position in 2007, starting all 13 games. He was on the field for 991 offensive snaps, delivering 80 knockdowns, coming up with nine touchdown-resulting blocks while leading the way for 2007 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for 1,681 yards and 17 scores that season.

In his junior season, Asamoah was part of an offensive line that has helped the Illini rank first in the Big Ten Conference in passing (269.33 yards per game), second in total offense (438.83 yards per game) and third in scoring (28.67 points per game). He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention while recording 92 knockdowns and nine touchdown-resulting blocks, appearing in 852 offensive snaps and 30 more on special teams.

Named to the 2009 Outland Trophy watch list, Asamoah added second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors from the league's coaches. He ran his consecutive starts string at right guard to 37 games, wrapping up his final season with 95 knockdowns and an 85.33% grade for blocking consistency. His fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks were the most by a Big Ten interior blocker that season.

Pass blocking: Tough to beat in pass protection because of his length and anchor. Uses his long arms and re-adjusts hands when needed to keep his man at a distance. His pads get a bit tall but he manages to keep his lean and move his feet to stay in front. Extends his arms, does not punch. Must recover more quickly if punched or ripped off. Agile and flexible enough to pick up late blitzers, but needs to be more aware.

Run blocking: Excellent body control on the line and in space. Uses defender's momentum to take him out of the hole, but is also strong enough to turn a tackle. Strong on double teams; moves nose tackle well out of the hole. Allows defenders to get under his pads at times when blocking on the move. Gets low and looks strong in goal-line situations.

Pulling/trapping: Moves well for a guard of his height. Gets around the center quickly to find a target when on the move. Runs a bit high; must sink his hips to keep leverage after contact. Effectively cut blocks, getting in front to prevent clipping calls.

Initial Quickness: Fires off the ball on run plays, staying low for his height and getting his hands up into a jersey quickly. Good quickness off the snap in pass protection.

Downfield: Very good feet, easily getting to second or third level and consistently hits the MIKE or another inside target. Smooth runner in space. Latches onto linebackers and doesn't let go - often putting them on the ground, unless he wants to move onto the next player. Must be more consistent keeping his feet through trash.

Intangibles: Excellent practice and weight room habits. Plays with some nastiness on the field, but is a jovial leader in the locker room. Awarded best effort award for spring 2009, along with an award for having the team's highest grades. Also an Academic All-American in '09.

Asamoah started each of his final 37 games at right offensive guard … During his time in the starting lineup, the Illini recorded 267 knockdowns/key blocks with 33 touchdown-resulting blocks and 17 blocks downfield … Since the start of the 2008 season, he allowed just four quarterback sacks and four pressures on 724 pass plays … Graded at least 85% for blocking consistency in 13 of his last 24 appearances, including six contests with grades of 90% or better.

Member of the Outland Trophy Watch List … Named All-Big Ten Conference first-team by The NFL Draft Report, adding second-team honors from the league's coaches and media …

Selected to the National Football Foundation's 16-man Scholar-Athlete team … Earned CoSIDA first-team Academic All-District honors … Academic All-Big Ten first-team choice …

Started all twelve games, extending his starting streak at right offensive guard to 37 contests … Led the team with 95 knockdowns/key blocks, as his 15 touchdown-resulting blocks were the most of any interior lineman (guard/center) in the conference …

Registered seven downfield blocks … Was charged with two penalties and allowed three quarterback sacks and a pressure on 331 pass plays … Graded 85.33% for blocking consistency, as he had grades of at least 85% in eight contests and 90% or better in three games -- vs. Illinois State, Minnesota and Fresno State … Helped the Illini average 393.5 yards in total offense per game, as the team ranked second in the Big Ten and 17th in the nation in rushing (200.42 yards per game) … Recovered a fumble vs. Purdue.

All-Big Ten Conference second-team pick by The NFL Draft Report … Started all 12 games at right offensive guard … Registered 92 knockdowns/key blocks, along with nine touchdown-resulting blocks and five blocks downfield while participating in 853 plays …

Part of an offensive line that has helped the Illini lead the Big Ten in passing, ranking 20th nationally with an average of 269.33 yards per game … The team also finished second in the conference in total offense (438.83 yards per game) and third in scoring (28.67 yards per game) … Was penalized just once, as he gave up a pair of assisted sacks and three quarterback pressures on 393 pass plays … Recorded an 83.42% grade for blocking consistency, as he reached grades of 90% or better in each of the Eastern Illinois, Michigan and Indiana contests.

Asamoah took over right offensive guard duties, starting all 13 games … Participated in 991 offensive plays, as he recorded 80 knockdowns/key blocks with nine touchdown-resulting blocks and five blocks downfield … Part of a front wall that helped the Illini rank fifth in the nation in rushing, averaging 256.77 yards per game … The team also placed third in the Big Ten in total offense (425.00 yards per game), as the offensive line finished second in the conference and 15th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.23 sacks per game).

Played in five of the last six games of the season at offensive guard, logging 48 plays with the second unit.

2009 (postseason): Asamoah suffered a right shoulder hairline fracture of his scapula during one-on-one drills in the first day of practice (1/26) at the Senior Bowl … An MRI detected the break, but surgery was not required.

Campus: 5.08 in the 40-yard dash … 1.76 10-yard dash … 2.91 20-yard dash … 4.53 20-yard shuttle … 7.58 three-cone drill … 25-inch vertical jump … 9'1" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times … 33-inch arm length … 10 3/4-inch hands.

Attended Rich East (Park Forest, Ill.) High School, playing football for head coach Alan Greenberg … Two-time first-team All-South Inter-Athletic Association Conference selection and helped the offense gain over 3,100 rushing yards as a senior … All-State and All-Area choice by the Chicago Sun-Times, and an All-Midwest Region pick by Prep Star … Also received a two-star prospect rating from Rivals.com … The two-time Academic All-State pick was a Wendy's High School Heisman Nominee for outstanding achievement in athletics, academics and the community … Earned the Cook County Circuit Court - Black History Award for academics and community service … Also lettered three times in basket-ball.

Community Health major … Son of Geraldine Terstegge and Samuel Asamoah … Born Jonathan Yao-Lante Asamoah on 7/21/88 … Resides in Park Forest, Illinois.