Garrett Reynolds

I hope this kid plays as long as he wants in the NFL and makes as much cash as he can. There is generally 1 kid every 20 years or so that is local and goes away and makes something of himself. That is what he did. Mad Props dog. From the general fans point of view these are the only ones you hear about forever. "How did they let him get away"? Blah Blah. Here is the truth.

He was a somewhat non-athletic 6'7" 240lb high school kid. Not very strong either. The Tenn staff looked hard at him because of his last name. At the end of the day they just thought there was too much risk. So did virtually every other big time school. Back then, Bunting was the UNC coach. They where 0-11 or so. He was way over his head. He was offering kids left and right because no one wanted to go there. He offered kids that Appy State and other Southern League schools passed on. Garrett was one of them. They figured if he turned out great, if not oh well. I spoke to 3 guys at different programs over the past few days recruiting Knoxville for other teams at the time. All said they would pass on him. Fact is you cannot take them all. In 2005 when he came out Tenn was ranked by Rivals as the #4 class in the country. They made the right call at the time. You cannot even think of another kid that has left Knoxville and got drafted elsewhere. It is very rare. The odds where against him and with the SEC schools to say no. There is no hindsight in recruiting.

What are they saying today?
The Good: A well-coached natural bender who displays good technique and flexibility in pass protection. Possesses a compact stance with good balance and coordination when he is engaged. Understands angles well and has the footwork to get around blocks and seal run lanes inside. A competitive lineman who plays to the whistle and loves to finish his blocks.
The Bad: Lacks great athleticism and struggles with his first step quickness. Isn’t going to be able to reach the corner vs. edge rushers at the next level. Lacks natural power and has a tendency to fall off blocks away form his body.

Over-achiever type. Has the size and toughness, but may lack the pure athleticism for the NFL. Too high in his stance and in his hand placement in pass protection and can be pushed into the pocket because he loses the leverage battle. Good effort to block on the move, but isn't particularly nimble, especially laterally.

Overview
Reynolds may lack the flashy athleticism that characterizes many of this year's top tackle prospects, but his toughness and reliability on the right side could help him ultimately enjoy a more established pro career than some rated ahead of him. A three-year starter, with his action almost exclusively at right tackle, Reynolds has the frame and physicality to remain at the position at the next level. He lacks the speed to handle speed rushers, however, and isn't the consistent drive blocker his size might indicate. Had an arm span of 34 1/2 inches and a hand span of 9 3/4 inches at the combine.

Fact is, he went to the right situation for him. If he would have gone to an SEC school you may have never heard of him. He had the opportunity to play for a bad team and improve. In other words, it all worked out.