Ciron Black, OG

Despite having a school-record and country-best 53 starts at left tackle already under his belt as well as earning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC's top blocker, scouts are undecided as to where Black projects best in the NFL.

The highly-touted prep prospect redshirted in 2005, but took over for Andrew Whitworth (now a starting tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals) as a redshirt freshman in 2006, earning Freshman All-SEC accolades. He earned second-team accolades from league coaches after the 2007 and 2008 seasons and considered leaving LSU early after getting a second-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee.

Returning for his senior campaign, Black earned first-team honors, the Jacobs award and was invited to participate in the Senior Bowl.

For all of his accolades, Black, like Whitworth, lacks elite athleticism, causing some scouts to wonder if he'll ultimately be able to handle speed rushers in the NFL. Whether he's moved to the right side or guard, Black's tremendous size, consistency and durability could result in an early selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pass blocking: An efficient blind-side protector despite less than ideal foot quickness. Lacks the depth on his kick-slide to remain at left tackle for some NFL offenses. Tough for pass rushers to beat outside due to his long arms and width. Good balance in protecting the edge and can slow even the speediest pass rushers simply by getting his hands on them.

Run blocking: Massive man with very good upper-body strength. Latches onto the defender and can overpower him quickly to eliminate his opponent from the play. Often gets under the pads of his opponent and can drive him off the line of scrimmage, but at the least is generally able to turn the defender and seal him from the ballcarrier.

Pulling/trapping: Rarely asked to pull in this offense and shows only marginal agility and straight-line speed when operating at the second level. Only marginal flexibility as a cut-blocker, though he was asked to do this often in LSU's scheme.

Initial Quickness: Only adequate initial quickness off the snap. Lumbers a bit off the snap and has to rely on the wide path pass rushers have to take around him to recover.

Downfield: Intimidating presence for smaller defenders at the second level of the defense, but has only marginal straight-line speed to get there and struggles when having to adjust to smaller, more athletic opponents.

Intangibles: Broke former teammate Andrew Whitworth's record for most starts by an LSU player with 53. Only played left tackle for LSU. Both parents are preachers.

One of the most decorated and durable offensive linemen in school history … Started a school-record 53 straight games, all at left tackle … The 53 straight starts broke the previous school record of 52 held by Andrew Whitworth … LSU was 40-13 in games in which he started … Started every game for LSU at left tackle since the start of the 2006 season … Became the first LSU player since Alan Faneca in 1997 to claim the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the SEC in 2009 … Played a total of 3,423 offensive snaps during his LSU career … … Played a school-record 1,031 snaps from scrimmage in 2007 … Joined Herman Johnson (1,030 snaps in 2007) as the only two players in school history to see action in over 1,000 plays from scrimmage in a single-season … Graduated in December of 2009 with a degree in general studies … Played in the 2010 Senior Bowl.

Started all 13 games at left tackle for the Tigers, running his streak to a school-record 53 consecutive starts … The 53 straight starts ranked as the second-longest streak in the nation at the conclusion of the 2009 season … Named the recipient of the 2009 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the top offensive lineman in the SEC as voted on by the league's coaches … Also a first-team All-SEC selection by both the SEC Coaches and the Associated Press … Earned second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation … Played a total of 770 offensive snaps in 2009 … Played every offensive snap in 11 of LSU's 13 games during the regular season … Led Tigers with 88 knockdown blocks, which included a season-best 10 in wins over Georgia and Louisiana Tech … Had at least seven knockdowns in six other games, including eight in overtime win over Arkansas … Graded out at 88 percent in four games - Washington, Georgia, Tulane and Louisiana Tech. … Invited to play in 2010 Senior Bowl following senior season.

A second team All-SEC selection for the second straight year in 2008 … Ran his streak of consecutive starts at left tackle to 40 straight … Helped pave the way for an LSU team that ranked fourth in the SEC in rushing with 166.8 yards per game … The Tigers also averaged 30.9 points per game … Played a total of 884 snaps from scrimmage as a junior, the second-highest total on the squad … Finished with a team best 68 knockdowns and graded out at 85% percent or better nine times … Played every snap from scrimmage in games against Appalachian State (63), Auburn (68), Mississippi State (65), Florida (72), South Carolina (78), Georgia (73), Troy (80), Ole Miss (68), Arkansas (68) … Missed only one snap all year due to an injury, that coming against Alabama … Returned to field after missing the one play to see action on 79 of 80 snaps in overtime loss to Alabama … Had best game of season with nine knockdowns and an 85% grade in win over South Carolina … Had 7 knockdowns in consecutive games vs. Georgia, Tulane Alabama and Troy … Graded out a season-best 92% percent, to go with 9 knockdowns, in win over Mississippi State … Registered an 88% grade against both Florida and Tulane … Played 59 snaps in LSU's bowl win over Georgia Tech, a game in which the Tigers rushed for 179 yards and four TDs … Continued a trend at LSU that has seen the Tigers start only two players at left tackle since the start of the 2002 season … Andrew Whitworth, now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, started at left tackle for four years from 2002-05, never missing a game … Black has followed that with 40 straight starts at the position from 2006 to 2008.

Played and started all 14 games for the Tigers at left offensive tackle … Earned second-team All-SEC honors from the SEC Coaches … Helped pave the way for an LSU team that ranked second in the SEC and 11th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 214 yards per game … Set a school-record by playing 1,031 snaps from scrimmage in 2007 … In all, was on the field for 97.8 percent (1,031 of 1,054 snaps) during LSU's national championship season … His 1,031 plays ranked first on the squad, one play ahead of Herman Johnson's 1,030 snaps … Played every snap in games against South Carolina (69), Florida (80), Kentucky (91), Auburn (68), Alabama (80) and Tennessee (81) … Led team with five pancake blocks and ranked second with 74 knockdown blocks … Gave up just one sack on the year … Was impressive in back-to-back games versus Florida and Kentucky, posting 11 knockdown blocks in each effort … Had a season-high two pancake blocks in the win over Auburn.

Just a redshirt freshman he started all 13 of the Tigers' games at left tackle … Continued the left tackle stability trend for LSU as the Tigers have started only two players at that position (Black and Andrew Whitworth) in the last five years … Was in on 739 of LSU's 818 plays this year, recording 81 knockdown blocks and 19 pancakes … The 739 snaps from scrimmage was the most of any Tiger lineman this year … Against Kentucky, recorded a career-high 12 knockdown blocks and two pancakes … Had 10 knockdowns and a careerhigh seven pancake blocks in the Tigers' win over Tennessee … Recorded 10 knockdowns and a pancake versus Arkansas.

Redshirted as a true freshman in 2005.

A blue-chip offensive lineman rated among the best in the state of Texas and nationally … Ranked the nation's No. 14 offensive tackle by ESPN … Member of the Houston Chronicle Top 100 for the state of Texas … Named first-team 5A all-state in Texas as a senior … Explosive run blocker with great footwork … As a senior, averaged four pancake blocks per game … Only gave up one sack in 15 games … Led his team through one of Texas' toughest districts into the 5A state championship … Played both offensive tackle positions and saw some action at defensive tackle … Former high school teammate of current LSU quarterback Matt Flynn … Coached by Michael Owens.

Born Oct. 29, 1986 … Parents are Ronnie and Sandra Black … Lists fishing as a hobby … Favorite book and movie is "Friday Night Lights", which is about high school football in the state of Texas.