HOOVER, Ala. -- Texas A&M star Cedric Ogbuehi, one of the top offensive tackle prospects in college football, patterns his play after another offensive lineman from Texas: Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys.
The senior was among three Aggies player representatives Tuesday at SEC Media Days, and he was quick to name Smith, a three-year NFL veteran from USC, as the pro he likes to watch most.
"I like Tyron Smith. I see some similarities. He's not the biggest guy, but he gets the job done and plays hard," Ogbuehi said.
Smith, actually, is listed at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. Not exactly small, but not the biggest offensive tackle in the NFL by any stretch. Ogbuehi called himself "a steady" 300 pounds, a bit light by NFL tackle standards, but relies as a much on his impressive athleticism and footwork as his size.
"I came in about 275, so I've probably put on about 30 pounds," Ogbuehi said.
Ogbuehi is known best for outstanding pass protection, something that has marked Smith's pro career, as well. In fact, NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks recently rated Smith at the NFL's No. 5 blind-side pass protector.
The two have also proven to be durable, as Smith has missed only one start with the Cowboys over three seasons. Similarly, Ogbuehi started every game for Texas A&M at guard in 2012, and quickly rebounded from an injury to miss just two games last season.
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