UCLA Football: NFL Draft Profile - C Jake Brendel

Jake Brendel has been a rock on the UCLA offensive line over the past four years, starting every game he has played in en route to becoming to UCLA's all-time leader in games started during the season with 52. His leadership was unparalleled during that time as he was a team co-captain for three consecutive years.

In fact, his experience on the offensive line combined with his leadership skills earned him the nickname "Coach Jake" as Brendel helped lead the offensive line on the field during Spring Practice in 2015 while Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm was serving a suspension for NCAA violations.

While Brendal was named to the Rimington Award Watch List twice and the Outland Trophy Watch List in 2015 and was a Second Team All-Conference selection, he also received numerous academic honors during his time at UCLA including an Academic All-Conference selection in 2014 and again in 2015.

NFL Combine Results

Brendel improved some of his combine results at UCLA's Pro Day with a 110-inch broad jump and 27 reps on the bench press. He also added a 28-inch vertical jump.

Strengths

Brendel brings everything most teams want in a center: leadership, reliability, intelligence, and production.

Weaknesses

The biggest knock on Brendel is that he doesn't have the physical build to dominate the line of scrimmage and that leaves him either off-balance or ending up compensating for that in other ways that can result in penalties.

Comparison

Brendel has been compared to 2014 Rimington Trophy winner Reese Dismukes of the Carolina Panthers.

Projection

Brendel has a lot of qualities NFL teams like, but his lack of physical build means his doesn't have the flexibility to play a position other than center and that could make it tougher for Jake in the long term.

As a result, he probably won't be selected until the 7th round. If he doesn't get drafted, expect him to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent.

Go Bruins!!!