Bryan Bulaga, OT

One of the more athletic big men eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft, Bulaga's versatility as a prep star made him one of the most sought after recruits coming out of high school. After playing four different positions at Marion Central High School, he began his Iowa career as a left offensive guard. Obviously more talented than any lineman the university has had since Robert Gallery (2000-03), the coaching staff decided to insert the true freshman into the starting lineup midway through the 2007 campaign.

Bulaga's powerful frame and long arms made him more suited to play on the edge. He was shifted to the demanding left tackle position as a sophomore, showing marked improvement in utilizing his long reach and strong hands to engage defenders, rather than turn his opponents inside, like he did when blocking from the interior position.

At Central Catholic High, Bulaga competed as an offensive tackle and tight end on offense, and also lined up at defensive end and even linebacker. He registered 261 career tackles with 46 stops for loss, 31 sacks and one interception. While playing tight end, he recorded 35 receptions for 665 yards and ten touchdowns. As an offensive tackle, no opponent ever registered a sack against him.

Bulaga garnered Parade and Prep Star All-American first-team honors as a senior, adding USA Today second-team accolades. The Chicago Tribune, Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Champaign News Gazette accorded him first-team All-State recognition that year, as he was also named Suburban Catholic Conference and Northwest Herald Area Player of the Year. The Chicago-Sun Times first-team All-Area pick added All-Conference as a junior, as he served as team captain during his final two seasons.

Bulaga received numerous scholarship offers, including such universities as Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin, with a number of those schools recruiting him as defensive lineman or tight end. He eventually chose Iowa, which promised him to play offensive line, his preferred position.

As a freshman, Bulaga played in the 2007 season opener vs. Northern Iowa, but missed the next five games with a shoulder injury. He returned to action vs. Illinois and then took over left guard starting duties for the final five contests. He earned Freshman All-Big Ten Conference honors from The Sporting News for his second half performances.

Bulaga was named All-Big Ten Conference second-team by the league's coaches and Sophomore All-American by College Football News in 2008. He missed the bulk of spring drills with lingering issues from his 2007 shoulder injury, but by fall camp, he took over the demanding left tackle position, helping the offense average 370.38 yards per game. He graded a team-best 85.38% for blocking consistency, registering 110 knockdowns that included 15 touchdown-resulting blocks.

Primed for a breakout 2009 campaign, Bulaga was one of four juniors named to the team's Leadership Group. He was a preseason All-American and named to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists. His season would get a little untracked after playing in the season opener vs. Northern Iowa, though.

Bulaga would miss the Hawkeyes' next three games after he started noticing he was unusually fatigued, had diminished stamina and was losing weight. Doctors discovered he had thyroiditis, a viral infection that causes the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones. He needed three weeks to recover and then a few weeks thereafter to play his way back into top football shape.

Bulaga was on the anti-inflammatory medication predisone, but stopped taking that at the end of the regular season and is no longer taking any medication. He said doctors have told him the condition was temporary and he's at full health. "It was a three-week thing that ran its course and now it's done," he said. "I've been (examined) by doctors at the Mayo Clinic and by my doctor at the University of Iowa, both endochronologists, and I've been cleared by both of them."

Back in the starting lineup for the final nine games, Bulaga struggled against elite pass rushers, Brandon Graham (Michigan) and O'Brien Schoefield (Wisconsin) before settling down the second half of the schedule. He registered an 84.0 percent grade for blocking consistency. The offense sorely missed him while he was sidelined and finished the year ranked 89th in total offense (336.31 yards per game) after averaging 370.38 yards the previous season. The left tackle collected 79 knockdowns and had 12 touchdown-resulting blocks.

Despite missing three contests, Bulaga received Walter Camp All-American second-team honors. He was also named to the All-Big Ten Conference first-team. The league's coaches selected him Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Joining Robert Gallery (2003), Eric Steinbach (2002), Mike Devlin (1992), Dave Croston (1986) and Mike Haight (1985) as other Hawkeyes to receive that honor.

In early January, Bulaga announced that he was forgoing his final year of college football to apply for the 2010 NFL Draft. Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz made the following statement at Bulaga's press conference:

"Bryan has been a valued team member, well beyond his outstanding play on the field. I'm very appreciative of his efforts on the team's behalf. I am confident Bryan will do very well in the years to come and again be a valuable asset to his future team. We wish him the best and continued success."

With Bulaga's announcement, it marked the second straight season the Hawkeye program has had at least one player declare early for the NFL draft. Running back Shonn Greene left the Hawkeye program following his junior season in 2008 and was a third-round draft selection of the New York Jets.

Pass blocking: Takes a strong angle on kick slide, keeps knees bent, head up, and arm extended to keep defenders at bay. Very difficult to get off his blocks if he's mirroring. Has a strong punch. Tends to lunge against inside moves, lacks great recovery speed and can be beaten by secondary rush. Slow to recoil once extended. Hesitates when defenders let up. Gets bull rushed into the pocket by strong ends because he allows their hands into his chest, but typically anchors before reaching the quarterback. Must improve his arm-bar to keep rusher out of the pocket. Inconsistent quickness after the first step in his kick slide makes him susceptible to giving up the edge to quicker pass rushers.

Run blocking: Good positional blocker, well-coached on how to get correct angles. Capable in zone scheme, has a strong combination of agility and strength. Turns his man out of the hole and seals the edge. Attacks defenders in short yardage situations, strong enough to lock on and sustain, even against large ends. Gets low to drive near the goal line.

Pulling/trapping: Isn't asked to pull or trap a lot in Iowa's zone system, but has the quick feet needed to work behind the line and burst through the hole. Usually hits a target on the move and sustains.

Initial Quickness: Brings a very strong punch and pop to his opponent when run blocking, especially for a left tackle. Adequate quickness to pass set from two-point stance.

Downfield: Excellent mobility to get to the second level and beyond. Keeps feet moving and hands strong after initial contact, sustains well against linebackers and safeties. Mirrors quicker players in space. Adjusts to players coming from any angle. Gives effort downfield to block on runs and pass plays.

Intangibles: Considered a very competitive, smart and hard-working leader up front. Fought to return from thyroid condition during 2009. Cleans up piles and defends teammates on the field.

Bulaga played in 30 games at Iowa, starting 28 contests, including five at left offensive guard and 25 at left tackle … During his time at tackle, Bulaga recorded 181 knockdowns with 27 touchdown-resulting blocks and 11 blocks downfield … During that time, he was penalized five times and allowed just 3.5 quarterback sacks and no pressures on 712 pass attempts … In 2009, he became the fifth Iowa player to be named Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year, joining Robert Gallery (2003), Eric Steinbach (2002), Mike Devlin (1992), Dave Croston (1986) and Mike Haight (1985).

Bulaga earned Walter Camp All-American first-team honors, adding second-team accolades from the Associated Press … All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice and became the sixth Hawkeye to be named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league's coaches … Member of the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award Watch Lists …

One of four juniors named to the team's Leadership Group … Started the season opener and the final nine games at left offensive tackle, missing the Iowa State, Arizona State and Penn State contests while being treated for a thyroid condition … The offense struggled, ranking 89th in the nation with an average of 336.31 yards per game, as the rushing attack placed 99th nationally (114.23 yards per game), but Bulaga still graded 84.0 percent for blocking consistency while producing 79 knockdowns that included 12 touchdown-resulting blocks … Gave up two quarterback sacks on 392 pass plays and was penalized three times while appearing in 10 contests.

Second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection by the league's coaches, adding honorable mention by the media … Second-team Sophomore All-American choice by College Football News … Recipient of the team's Hustle Award … Limited in spring drills with a shoulder injury, Bulaga shifted to left offensive tackle, starting all 13 games … The team's "Iron Man" participated in all 835 offensive snaps, registering a career-high 102 knockdowns and 15 touchdown-resulting blocks … Graded 85.38% for blocking consistency … Penalized twice and allowed just 1.5 quarterback sacks on 320 pass plays.

Named to Freshman All-Big Ten Conference team by The Sporting News … Played in seven games, starting the final five contests vs. Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, Western Michigan and Minnesota at left offensive guard … Also played as a reserve vs. Northern Iowa and Illinois … Sat out the Syracuse, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Indiana and Penn State clashes with a shoulder sprain … Played every offensive snap during his five starting assignments.

2007: Sat out the Syracuse (9/08), Iowa State (9/15), Wisconsin (9/22), Indiana (9/29) and Penn State (10/06) games with a shoulder sprain.

2008: Limited in spring drills due to shoulder issues.

2009: Missed the Iowa State (9/12), Arizona (9/19) and Penn State (9/26) games with a thyroid condition. Doctors discovered he had thyroiditis, a viral infection that causes the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones. He needed three weeks to recover and then a few weeks thereafter to play his way back into top football shape.

Bulaga was on the anti-inflammatory medication predisone, but stopped taking that at the end of the regular season and is no longer taking any medications.

Campus: 5.26 in the 40-yard dash … 1.81 10-yard dash … 3.03 20-yard dash … 4.62 20-yard shuttle … 7.40 three-cone drill … 27.5-inch vertical jump … 8'2" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times … 33 1/4-inch arm length … 9 1/4-inch hands.

Attended Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Ill.) High School, playing football for head coach Ed Brucker … Earned Parade and Prep Star All-American first-team honors as a senior, adding USA Today second-team accolades … The Chicago Tribune, Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Champaign News Gazette accorded him first-team All-State recognition that year, as he was also named Suburban Catholic Conference and Northwest Herald Area Player of the Year … The Chicago-Sun Times first-team All-Area pick added All-Conference as a junior, as he served as team captain during his final two seasons … Honor Roll student.

Communication Studies major … Son of Kathi and Joe Bulaga (pronounced boo-LAUG-uh) … Born 3/21/89 … Resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois.