The NFL combine results of two offensive linemen blew me away last Saturday. Two offensive tackles ran 4.71 and 4.72 in the 40 yard dash. TWO. And, they were both 300lb? Tim Tebow, LaGarrette Blount, Shiloh Keo, and Colt McCoy all ran 4.7 in the combine dash. Arkansas Pine Bluff OT Terron Armstead and Oklahoma OT Lane Johnson are both 300 pounds and apparently can fly. Like pigs. Johnson, who ran 4.72, really intrigues me. He was a high school QB, played a year of junior college ball at QB, went to OK as a 250 lb. TE and was moved to DE and then OT by the time he was a red shirt sophomore. He gained thirty more pounds to complete his transformation to top NFL draft pick.

The revolution of offensive lineman started with the zone blocking scheme over 10 years ago. It’s been about that long ago that Boise State changed the type of offensive lineman, or specifically tackle, they were looking for as well. Most of the Boise State offensive linemen since 2000 have been built more like Matt Hill, Ryan Clady, Daryn Colledge, Nate Potter and less like Andrew Woodruff. Tall,rangy, strong lower bodies, great wingspan and feet. Less about bench press and more about basketball skills, power cleans and shuttle drill. Sleeker linemen are more athletic and can tie up linebackers in the zone blocking scheme. Now, with the spread attack, linemen have to run the width of the field even more to make their blocks. And with defensive lineman and linebackers coming off the edge to speed rush, you can’t have a refrigerator sized tackle wobbling over to pass block when you need a dancing bear.

Next year possible Boise St. OT’s Charles Leno Jr. and Rees Odhiambo both fit that mold. I can see Coach Pete’s poison now, the tackle eligible pass play. How Ryan Clady would have loved that.