2014 NFL Draft Prospects: Centers

The top 2014 center prospects available for the 2014 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2015 prospect. ** – denotes 2016 prospect.

This page was last updated May 7, 2014. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

1. Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
   Projected Round (2014): 1-2.
   5/7/14: Richburg has a lot of fans in the scouting community and played well as a senior. The Rams averaged 461 yards per game during the 2013 regular season. He led a line that allowed only 20 sacks and averaged 200 yards rushing per game. Richburg had an impressive outing against Boise State, but didn’t have his best showing in his bowl game against Washington State.
   
   Richburg bounced back and played well in the Senior Bowl. He showed a nice combination of strength, athleticism, quickness and balance. Richburg has some teams considering him as an option for a late first-round pick. He had a good performance at the Combine and solidified his standing as the top center. Sources have said they don’t expect Richburg to last past the middle of the second round.
   
   8/7/13: Richburg has been one of the top centers in the nation for the past three seasons. He enters his senior year with 36 straight starts. Richburg was a candidate for the 2012 Rimington Trophy given to the nation’s top center. The junior graded out at 90 percent and wasn’t called for one penalty last year. He took over as the Rams’ starting center in 2011 and was a Second-Team All-Mountain West selection.
   
   Richburg, a freshman, started all 12 games in 2010 – three at guard and nine at center. He should continue to add strength for the NFL.
   
   Personal: Animal science major. Son of Danny and Ruth Richburg.





2. Marcus Martin, C, USC
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 320.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
   Projected Round (2014): 2-3.
   5/7/14: Martin was a surprise entry for the 2014 NFL Draft. He probably should have returned for his senior season to improve before going pro. Martin started his career at left guard and was the starter there for the Trojans in 2011 and 2012. The junior moved to center for 2013 and had a quality season. He has some athleticism and versatility.
   
   Martin has good strength to open holes in the ground game with surprising quickness and agility to hit blocks on the second level. He has the size to match up on heavy nose tackles and shouldn’t get pushed around. Martin could use more development in his pass blocking when faced with a one-on-one, especially against smaller defensive tackles who are speed rushers.
   
   There are a few areas Martin could stand to improve – such as his ability to sustain blocks. Some teams rate him as the top center for the 2014 NFL Draft while others prefer Weston Richburg.



3. Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 312.
   40 Time: 5.26.
   Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
   5/7/14: Swanson had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl to impress NFL teams. He was a tenacious blocker who held his own in the one-on-ones. Swanson showed a nice combination of size, strength and athletic ability. At the Combine, he had a solid performance.
   
   Swanson helped pave the way for Arkansas freshman Alex Collins to run well in 2013. Swanson shown some strength and athleticism at the point of attack. He was called a dirty player by a Florida defensive tackle, and the Gators had a strong game shutting down the Razorbacks. Swanson played well against South Carolina. He has some strength, mobility and can display a mean streatk. Swanson looks like a quick starter in the NFL.
   
   8/7/13: Swanson has started all 38 games of his collegiate career so far; he was a standout blocker in the SEC the past three seasons. The junior was a Second-Team All-SEC selection in 2012.
   
   Swanson has done an admirable job in pass protection as the Razorbacks have fielded a 3,000-yard passer each year of his career. He has also well in run blocking, especially in 2010 when running back Knile Davis was healthy.
   
   Swanson should be poised for an interesting season in 2013 playing for Brett Bielma with some young talent at running back. It would help Swanson to continue to add some strength for the NFL. However, he is a well-rounded blocker who could turn into a starting center in the NFL.
   
   Personal: Son of Todd and Gina Swanson.



4. Tyler Larsen, C, Utah State
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 317.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.16.
   Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
   5/7/14: Larsen played well for Utah State. He was a strong run-blocker in 2013. Larsen went to the Senior Bowl and had a solid week to help his draft stock. He clearly was behind Richburg and Swanson, but Larsen is a scrappy player who could be a nice developmental pick in the mid-rounds. He went to the Combine, but didn’t run the 40.
   
   8/7/13: Larsen has been Aggies’ starter at center for the past three seasons and was a First-Team All-WAC selection as a sophomore and junior. He tied for the team lead with an 86 percent overall grade in 2012. Utah State actually evaluated him as carrying out the correct assignment on 97 percent of his snaps with four games at 100 percent. Larsen has some power to his game and could be a nice fit in a man-blocking system. He missed the 2009 season with a knee injury.
   
   Personal: Interdisciplinary studies major. Son of LeRoy and Barbara Larsen.





5. Bryan Stork, C, Florida State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
   Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
   5/7/14: Stork and Florida State dominated the competition this season. He was a solid run-blocker and a pass-protector for Jameis Winson, although the Seminoles didn’t see a lot of challenging interior defenders. Stork left the game against Maryland with a concussion. He played well against Miami and Florida. His medical issues could see him downgraded.
   
   Sources tell WalterFootball.com that Stork is grading out as a third-day player because he isn’t overly strong or athletic. Stork didn’t run at the Combine, and his medical evaluation was very important.
   
   8/7/13: Stork has been coached extremely well at Florida State. He was an excellent run-blocker the past two seasons and has steadily improved his pass protection. Stork saw some playing time at right guard as a redshirt freshman in 2010. He took over at guard the next season for graduated All-American Rodney Hudson. Stork was moved to center after four games and has stayed in the middle of the Seminoles’ line.
   
   Stork had an excellent 2012 season protecting quarterback E.J. Manuel and opening up holes in the ground game. Stork looks like he has the quickness and athleticism to play in a zone-blocking system at the next level, but still retains enough size and strength for a man-blocking system.
   
   Stork starting experience at guard means he could play guard or center in the NFL. The latter looks like his best position, however. Florida State actually worked Stork at offensive tackle during the spring before the 2012 season, but didn’t need to play the junior on the edge in 2012. Still, Stork has some versatility. He played tight end in high school.



6. Gabe Ikard, C/G, Oklahoma
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 303.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
   Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
   5/7/14: Overall, Ikard played well for Oklahoma in 2013 as the Sooners featured an improved ground offense with a more physical approach. He held his own and did well going against Notre Dame’s heavy defensive tackle Louis Nix. Ikard also had a quality outing against Alabama in his collegiate final. He had an up-and-down week at the Senior Bowl. Ikard could be a good developmental project. He had a solid performance at the Combine.
   
   8/7/13: Ikard consistently won his blocks in 2012 and is a well-rounded player. He had a rough game against Notre Dame with some botched snaps and struggled to block the Fighting Irish’s tough front seven. Ikard played well against Texas and Oklahoma State. His pass protection is well developed, too.
   
   Ikard started 11 games as a freshman in 2010. He was selected as a First-Team All-Freshman All-American by numerous media outlets and named an honorable mention All-Big XII by the AP.
   
   Ikard was an All-Big XII first-teamer in 2011, splitting time between guard and center. Starting center Ben Habern missed multiple games with a broken arm, and Ikard filled in with seven starts at center. He returned to left guard for the final three games. With Habern retiring from football, Ikard took over at center in 2012.
   
   Center is probably the better position for Ikard in the NFL as he is undersized for guard. Ikard was an Academic All-American in 2011 and graded out the highest of any of Oklahoma’s offensive linemen including Habern, Donald Stephenson and Lane Johnson.
   
   Personal: Son of Jim and Becky Ikard. Academic standout in zoology.



7. Russell Bodine*, C, North Carolina
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 310.
   40 Time: 5.18.
   Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
   5/7/14: Bodine was solid, but not overly impressive, in 2013. He should have returned for his senior year, but his stock is aided by his size and ability to play guard. Sources tell WalterFootball.com that Bodine is grading out for Day 3 and is viewed as a “JAG” (just a guy, nothing special).
   
   8/7/13: Bodine first saw playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2011. He had two starts at center and graded out highly. Bodine took over last year and had a strong season. He did a good job of run blocking for Giovani Bernard and formed a dangerous interior with guard Jonathan Cooper. Bodine also was a reliable pass-protector for Bryn Renner. Bodine’s job will be more difficult as a junior since Cooper is now in the NFL.
   
   Personal: Exercise and sport science major. Son of Gail and Brian Bodine.





8. James Stone, C, Tennessee
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 306.
   40 Time: 5.17.
   Projected Round (2014): 6-FA.
   5/7/14: Stone turned in a mixed year for the Volunteers, including some struggles against Florida. He bounced back to play much better against Georgia. Stone didn’t play as well versus Missouri or Alabama. Sources believe Stone projects to Day 3. He didn’t do well at the East-West Shrine, but had a decent performance at the Combine.
   
   8/7/13: Stone earned a spot in the starting lineup in 2010. The freshman started five games at center and three at left guard. He found a home at center in 2011, starting in the middle for 11 games and once at left guard. Stone played continued to show improvement in 2012 as he was very solid for Tennessee. The Volunteers averaged 475.9 yards per game with 315.6 yards per game through the air last year.
   
   The Volunteers’ offensive line allowed just eight sacks in 2012. Stone did a good job of keeping a clean pocket for Tyler Bray. Stone looks like a better pass-blocker than run-blocker at this point, but his run blocking was better year over year in 2012. He may be best in the NFL in a zone-blocking scheme.
   
   Personal: Communications major. Son of Nacy Drumgoode.



9. Jonotthan Harrison, C, Florida
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 304.
   40 Time: 5.34.
   Projected Round (2014): 6-FA.
   5/7/14: Harrison was okay, but unspectacular, for the Gators in 2013. He didn’t have a very good game against Miami. However, Harrison bounced back against Tennessee. The whole Florida line didn’t play well versus Missouri, but was better against Georgia. Harrison didn’t finish the season well against Florida State. After a strong 2012 season, the senior was a nice sleeper, and it was disappointing that he not only didn’t build on his junior campaign, but regressed. Harrison didn’t impress at the Combine.
   
   8/7/13: Harrison played well for Florida in 2012 and did a good job of blocking for Mike Gillislee. Harrison exceled against LSU, but struggled against Georgia. He had a tremendous game versus Florida State and helped gash a good Seminoles’ defense. The Gators had a lot of success running straight down the middle behind the junior.
   
   Harrison made a good decision to return for his senior season. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but he is a good sleeper prospect. Harrison broke into the lineup in 2011, recording starts at center and guard.



10. Andrew Miller, C, Virginia Tech
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 293.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
    Projected Round (2014): 7-FA.
    5/7/14: Miller had an impressive start to the 2013 season, helping set up freshman Trey Edmunds to run for 132 yards against Alabama. Miller also played well versus Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against the Yellow Jackets. Miller was solid against Miami. He didn’t take part in the Combine.
    
    8/7/13: Miller’s 2012 season was cut short after seven games when he went down with a season-ending ankle injury. Virginia Tech missed him while he was out. He had an excellent debut at center in 2011. The first-year starter did a superb job in run blocking for running back David Wilson and quarterback Logan Thomas. The Hokies had a lot of success running up the middle, and Miller was a big part of that.
    
    The redshirt senior is a leader of the program and needs a big season to get get drafted. Miller also needs to add more weight to his frame.
    
    Personal: Agribusiness major. Son of Johnny Miller and the late Linda Miller.



11. Macky MacPherson, C, Syracuse
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 286.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
    Projected Round (2014): 7-FA.
    5/7/14: Syracuse had a rough start to this season. MacPherson looks very undersized and would be better as a developmental player on the practice squad. He had some solid games as a run-blocker for Jerome Smith. MacPherson didn’t participate in the Combine.
    
    8/7/13: MacPherson is a solid blocker, but is extremely undersized. He had a strong 2012 season blocking for Ryan Nassib. MacPherson did a nice job of keeping a clean pocket. He broke into the starting lineup in 2011 as a sophomore.
    
    MacPherson really needs to add some bulk for the NFL. Helping him to appeal to scouts is his long-snapping ability. Even if the senior can add weight, he only really projects to a zone-blocking scheme.
    
    Personal: Geography major. Son of Maureen MacPherson. Grandson of former Syracuse head coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Dick MacPherson.

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