Russell Okung, OT

Okung arrived in Stillwater as a gangly, 250-pound linemen. He left only after growing into a 300-pound dominating drive blocker.

With his still-developing frame, long arms, large and powerful hands, he has few peers in the 2010 NFL Draft as a standout pass protector. A model of consistency with 47 consecutive games started at OSU, he started his final 39 contests at the demanding left offensive tackle position.

Many talent evaluators consider Okung the premier offensive tackle prospect in the draft. He is almost assured in becoming the university's first offensive lineman to be drafted in the first round since the Minnesota Vikings selected guard John Ward with the 25th choice in 1970 (Ward is the only OSU offensive lineman to be taken in the first round of the draft).

Cowboys fans consider Okung to be their finest lineman since the days of Jon Kolb, an All-Pro tackle (center at OSU) who spent years protecting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks since being chosen in the third round of the same draft as Ward. With his outstanding wingspan, nimble feet and quickness to easily mirror edge rushers, he favorably compares to present New York Jets' left offensive tackle, D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Okung was a three-star prospect, according to Rivals.com, as a senior at George Bush High School. He ranked 33rd nationally among offensive tackles and placed 71st on Rivals' Texas Top 100 list. Scout.com ranked the lineman 50th overall on the Southwest Top 100 chart. He added first-team All-Greater Houston and All-District honors, along with being named to the Dallas Morning News Top 100 squad as a senior.

Okung was heavily recruited by Louisiana State, Oklahoma and Nebraska, but decided to enroll at Oklahoma State in 2006. The recipient of the Dick Bogert Award, given to the Cowboys' top freshman, he was also a Freshman All-Big Twelve Conference choice while earning his first letter. Having added twenty pounds since arriving on campus, the 270-pounder forced his way into the starting lineup at right tackle by the sixth game vs. Kansas, forcing the staff to shift Corey Hilliard to the left side, in order to place their five best blockers on the field.

Continuing his work in the training room during the offseason for his move to left tackle, Okung arrived at 2007 fall camp a solid 290 pounds. He would do an excellent job protecting the OSU quarterbacks' blindside, as he was part of a front wall that allowed just 11 sacks in 13 games, the third-lowest figure in the NCAA that year.

The team's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman led that unit with 67 knockdowns and ten touchdown-resulting blocks, as the team finished seventh in the country in total offense (486.3 yards per game). He was also named to the Rivals.com all-bowl team after holding Indiana's Greg Middleton, the NCAA's sack leader, without a tackle in the 2007 Insight Bowl victory.

Okung was recognized as a first-team All-Big Twelve Conference selection in 2008, adding All-American honors from Pro Football Weekly. He helped lead the Cowboys to their third consecutive league rushing title (245.46 yards per game), as they also ranked sixth in the nation in total offense (487.69 yards per game). The left tackle produced 71 knockdowns, leading the Big Twelve's down linemen with 15 touchdown-resulting blocks.

Okung garnered All-American and All-Big Twelve Conference first-team honors as a senior. He led the league with 133 knockdowns, allowing only one quarterback sack on 336 pass plays. His work in the trenches helped OSU capture its fourth consecutive Big Twelve rushing title (187.77 yards per game), as he led a front wall that finished sixth in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.92 sacks per game).

The Outland Trophy was named Big Twelve Offensive Lineman of the Year for his performance. He was also a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, as he was the only offensive lineman to be mentioned on that list. Twice during the season, he held the current NCAA sacks leader to no sacks, first accomplishing that feat vs. Texas A&M's Von Miller and later in the schedule vs. Texas' Sergio Kindle.

Pass blocking: Prototypical athleticism, height and long arms for left tackle. Excellent first step on kick slide; sets up for pass pro quickly and with a wide base. Good angle on slide to prevent wide rushes. Gets his feet up and down well, consistently mirroring his man on outside or inside rush moves. Smaller ends have little chance of staying upright against him, and few defenders of any size get off his block once latched on. Willing to attack ends lined up wide instead of catching them. Strength is an issue, has only an adequate punch and inconsistent anchor against larger ends. Gets pushed back when pads are too high, yet he recovers nicely to prevent the sack. Will extend his arms to throw his man off balance if he senses any let-up. Gets down to cut quickly, will roll to keep his man out of the play. Good awareness finding late blitzers and adjusting to twists.

Run blocking: Will lean forward when trying to aggressively run block, and loses his balance against quicker ends. Drive blocking is not his strength, as he tends to get his pads too high too quickly. Keeps legs churning after initial contact, however, to take his man out of the play or put him on the ground. Once engaged, will not let go - sometimes through the whistle. Can turn his man inside or outside using angles and foot work, not brute strength. Effective hitting linebackers at the second level, but fails to sustain when punching instead of latching on.

Pulling/trapping: Looks agile for his size when asked to move, which is quite often for a left tackle, but inconsistent hitting defenders in space. Seals the edge with good footwork, even if he needs to get outside the tackle box first. Has the flexibility to adjust to inside blitzers or keep out linebackers attacking a gap.

Initial Quickness: Good quickness in his kick slide in pass protection; doesn't get beat on the edge. Fires off the ball in goal-line situations and when he needs to help the tight end, then moves to second level on run plays.

Downfield: Athletic enough and uses his long arms to reach linebackers. Gets the inside defender to prevent penetration on outside runs. Could hustle to get a second defender more often. Doesn't always hit his targets square, which allows them to make plays or draw holding penalties. Needs to learn to move in balance.

Intangibles: Ready to compete on every snap, and owns the responsibility of protecting the quarterback. Excellent durability. No character concerns -- coaches like his attitude on the field and in the locker room.

NFL Comparison: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets

Okung played in 52 games at Oklahoma State, starting his final 47 contests - including his last 39 at left tackle and his first eight at right tackle … Part of a unit that saw the Cowboys lead the Big Twelve Conference in rushing in each of his four seasons in the starting lineup … The Outland Trophy finalist and All-American added Big Twelve Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, becoming OSU's most decorated offensive lineman since former Pittsburgh Steelers standout offensive center, Jon Kolb (1966-68) … Registered 317 knockdowns with 48 touchdown-resulting blocks during his time as a starter, an average of 6.74 knockdowns and 1.02 touchdown-resulting blocks per game … In his final two seasons, his total of 30 touchdown-resulting blocks were tops in the Big Twelve.

All-American first-team choice by The NFL Draft Report, Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Football Coaches Association … Outland Trophy finalist and was the only offensive lineman named a semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award … Unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection and named the league's Offensive Lineman of the Year … Started all 13 games at the demanding left tackle position, despite suffering a knee sprain in practice prior to the Cotton Bowl match-up vs. Mississippi … Led the Big Twelve down linemen with 133 knockdowns and 16 touchdown-resulting blocks, as he led a front wall that ranked sixth in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.92 sacks per game) … The left tackle finished with a league-best 87.85% grade for blocking consistency … Allowed just one sack on 336 pass plays … Despite a rash of injuries to most of their top skill players, the Cowboys led the conference in rushing for the fourth consecutive season (187.77 yards per game), which coincidentally matches the top seasons that Okung has been in the starting lineup … Concluded his career with 47 consecutive starts, the second-longest streak in the program.

Pro Football Weekly All-American selection, adding All-Big Twelve Conference first-team honors … Started all year at left tackle, leading the team with 71 knockdowns, as his 15 touchdown-resulting blocks ranked second in the conference … Had five downfield blocks, but was penalized four times … Allowed two sacks and two pressures on 326 pass plays, as the front wall allowed only 16 sacks for the season … Led the way as the Cowboys were the Big Twelve's rushing leaders with an average of 245.46 yards per game, the eighth-best average in the nation … The offense finished sixth in the major college ranks with an average of 487.69 total yards per game … Participated in 874 snaps … Also recorded a solo tackle vs. Oregon.

Shifted to left offensive tackle, starting all thirteen games … Recorded 67 knockdowns with a team-high 10 touchdown-resulting blocks … Named the team's Most Valuable Offensive lineman vs. Florida Atlantic (nine knockdowns) and Sam Houston State (10 knockdowns), adding Game MVP accolades vs. Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma … Part of a unit that finished third in the country in fewest sacks allowed (0.85 per game) and helped clear the way for a rushing attack that led the Big Twelve Conference with an average of 243.15 yards per game (eighth nationally) … The Cowboys also ranked seventh in the nation in total offense (486.31 yards per game) … Also recorded a solo tackle vs. Troy.

Freshman All-Big Twelve Conference choice by The Sporting News … Recipient of the Dick Bogert Award, given to the team's top freshman … Moved into the starting lineup at right tackle in the schedule's sixth game vs. Kansas, starting his final eight contests … Graded best among the down linemen, as he delivered 52 knockdowns that included seven touchdown-resulting blocks.

2009: Suffered a knee sprain in practice the week before the Cotton Bowl vs. Mississippi (1/02/10), but still played and started.

Campus: 5.16 in the 40-yard dash … 1.75 10-yard dash … 2.92 20-yard dash … 4.65 20-yard shuttle … 7.67 three-cone drill … 28-inch vertical jump … 9'1" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 38 times … 36-inch arm length … 10 1/2-inch hands.

Attended George Bush (Houston, Tex.) High School … Three-star prospect, according to Rivals.com, as a senior … Ranked 33rd nationally among offensive tackles and placed 71st on Rivals' Texas Top 100 list … Scout.com ranked the lineman 50th overall on the South-west Top 100 chart … Added first-team All-Greater Houston and All-District honors, along with being named to the Dallas Morning News Top 100 squad as a senior … Graduated with a 2.8 grade point average.

Marketing major … Son of Dorothy Akabio and Victor Okung … Born 10/07/87 … Resides in Houston, Texas.