Ryan Clady, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Offensive Tackle Junior Boise State Ht: 6’ 6” Wt: 310 lbs. Speed: 5.20 Strengths: Balance, Athleticism, Body Control Weaknesses: Demeanor, Power Scouting report by Daryl Breault

            As a future left tackle, Clady has chance to slip into the top 10 this April (2008). The junior started his last 26 games at left tackle after a year at right tackle and earned All-American honors in 2007.  A unanimous All-WAC choice in 2007 and 2006 as well as winning numerous freshman awards in 2005, Clady has helped Boise State become one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses and catapulting the school into the national spotlight.  He looks to become the first Boise player drafted in round 1 as well only the second player to earn All-American honors since the school became an official D-1A program since Ian Johnson in 2006 and the 2^nd Boise player to be named All-American by the Coach’s Association in school history.  Not bad for a lightly recruited defensive tackle coming out of high school.

            A prototype left tackle, Clady has the quick feet, size and upper body strength to be elite at the next level.  Not a road grader despite his size, Clady is extremely athletic and is great on the move.  Perfect for a zone-blocking scheme, he can pull and trap and possess a fiery mentality.  Seems like the type who would not have a problem with cut blocking.  He’s a beast in space and neutralizes linebackers when he gets his hands on them.  Clady paved the way for Ian Johnson’s All-American 2006 and Boise State’s 2006 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma.  With his reach he can wall off the backside and gets good arm extension, lock and hand punch.  His feet will always be his best quality.  He generally has no problem with speed rushers, constantly moving his feet, shuffling and sliding to get better position and base.  He’s quick off the snap and quick to get to the second level where he can wreak havoc.  Possess great balance and body control needed to move in space and hit moving targets.

            Scouts are giving pause when talking about Clady as he is from a school that has never produced a high draft pick.  The success of Ian Johnson and Jared Zabransky has made Clady look a ton better than he may actually be but Johnson and Zabransky are marginal prospects at best (Zabransky was eligible for 2007 draft) who made the most of playing weaker opponents.  Fiesta Bowl win over a historic program has helped their cause but does little to actually improve their position in the eyes of scouts.  As run blocker, Clady has some work to do.  He lacks natural strength despite his size and will need to improve the power in his lower-body before a team feels comfortable running behind him.  He helped Johnson have some great games, but his lack of strength will be magnified at the next level.  He should be able to bulk up without losing his quickness but he hasn’t always showed the motivation needed in the weight room.  May play to his competition sometimes, as he tends to forget that he is a finesse player and gets in trouble when he thinks he can overpower people. 

            Athletically, Clady is a potential franchise left tackle.  Some people believe he might have to play RT to start, but I don’t see enough power in the run game to be comfortable with that.  In the right scheme he probably could but he’s a left tackle thanks to his incredible feel for pass protection. He appears to be just a hair behind Jake Long as a prospect but it might be closer than some think.  I have still have some questions about Long’s ability to be a full time starter on the left side and I’m not sure it’s prudent to spend a top 5 pick on a right tackle.  With Clady looking like a future Pro Bowler as someone’s backside protector, he appears to be the better gamble for a team looking for their future.  Could go as high as Levi Brown last year with teams like Atlanta, Oakland and Kansas City all in need of a stud up front. 

On March 3rd during Boise State's Pro Day Clady ran the 40 in 5.20 and 5.27, with a 31-inch vertical jump, 9-foot long jump, 4.7 short shuttle and 7.07 cone drill.