Scouting report: Alex Mack

Alex Mack

6’4, 314 pounds | California | Center

Strengths: An attacker at the second level. Seeks out opponents instead of letting them come to him. Really good cut blocker. Mack has great snap quickness to get the ball off and get into his stance. Mauling run blocker who uses his powerful lower body to push back tackles. Exceptional trap blocker. Never stops competing, even when a play is halfway down the field. Plays with a lot of intensity. Possesses great base strength. Play overall is very similar to Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings.

Weaknesses: Mack is sometimes slow to react in pass protection, which brings in to question his awareness. Doesn't move laterally especially well. Can have some trouble reacting and neutralizing speed rushers charging the A-gap. Will get too tall in his stance. Needs to keep better balance and body, especially on the move. Base has to get wider or he could have some trouble facing players stronger than him. Fairly tall for a center. Not especially long arms. Bulky build throughout his frame. Probably can't hold much more mass.

Final word: Mack is arguably the best center in college football since Nick Mangold. He's especially powerful. His biggest strength is in-line, run blocking. Needs to develop his technical skills better. Registered a program-record power clean of 374 pounds. Has no known character flaws. The unquestioned leader of Cal’s offense.

Round projection: 2