Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jacob Alsadek (78).
Rosenblatt said...
Sport:Β FootballΒ
The details: Alsadek is 6-foot-7-inch, 320-pound offensive lineman from San Diego. Alsadek enters his fifth season as one of the most experienced players on Arizonaβs roster, having started 33 games since debuting as a redshirt freshman in 2014. Depth is still a concern on the offensive line, but the Wildcats have one of the most experienced starting groups in the country β 2016 starters Nathan Eldridge, Layth Friekh and Gerhard de Beer all return as well β which bodes well for Arizonaβs offense. Out of high school, Alsadek picked the Wildcats over Colorado and after redshirting the 2013 season, helped block for a productive rushing attack in 2014 that saw Nick Wilson rush for 1,375 yards.
βThey take pictures of us every year with our shirts off, which is kinda weird, but when I first got here I was ugly, gross,β Alsadek said. Then it was βa little bit better, and a little better. How your body changes is insane. Right now Iβm probably 318-320 and Iβm moving like I was when I was 287.β
The numbers: There arenβt many statistics readily available when it comes to offensive linemen, and the best stats are more of a collective sort β as in how many sacks a team allows and how many rushing yards it gains, two areas where offensive linemen play a particularly important part. In that regard, even as win totals have decreased, Arizona has gotten better each season of Alsadekβs career in those categories. In rushing, the Wildcats averaged 181.9 yards per game in 2014, 222 in 2015 and a conference-best 235 per game last season. With sacks allowed, the Wildcats gave up a conference-worst 40 in 2014, 31 in 2015 and 28 last year.
The value: On an offensive line lacking depth β though not quite at the level of last season after young reserves like Christian Boettcher and Cody Creason received significant playing time β Alsadekβs experience and durability become particularly important. Alsadek starts at right guard, a particularly important position for Arizonaβs rushing attack. Alsadek has been working with UA alum Glenn Parker four to five times per week this summer.
βI love it. Itβs just changed the way I pass block, itβs awesome,β Alsadek said. βIn the spring with one on ones, I think I only lost one or two reps all spring, which was cool, which is definitely better than Iβve ever done before.β
Why Alsadek?Β Alsadek is Arizonaβs most experienced offensive lineman, and so heβll be expected to step up in 2017. Alsadek has blocked some of the most-talented pass rushers in the country β including first-round picks like USCβs Leonard Williams, Washingtonβs Danny Shelton and Stanfordβs Solomon Thomas β which should bode well for AlsadekΒ this season.
βYou see these people on TV now playing on Sundays and itβs a cool feeling,β Alsadek said. βItβs like, I battled with that guy.β
Proof heβs good: Alsadek was named a freshman All-American after the 2014 season, though he hasnβt received any similar honors since. Physically, he looks the part of a future NFL offensive lineman. The best evidence of what Arizonaβs offensive line β and Alsadek β is capable of when things are clicking occurred in last seasonβs Territorial Cup against ASU. Then, the Wildcats didnβt throw a single pass in the second half because of the record-breaking rushing attack β a school-record 511 yards and seven touchdowns.
What Alsadek can accomplish: If Alsadek keeps progressing, he can play himself onto a Pac-12 All-Conference team — Athlon Sports had him as a preseason third team selection — and improve his stock as an NFL prospect. NFLDraftScout.com currently has him rated the No. 23 offensive guard in the 2018 draft class.
Coachspeak:Β βJacob made himself a player coming out of high school just because of his work ethic. Heβs a guy who would train above and beyond. I think thatβs what heβs done. Heβs learned our system. Heβs a smart guy. But football is so important to him.β β UA coach Rich Rodriguez in 2014
He said it: βI just want to have no regrets this season, so hopefully it will work out. β¦ Itβs just like every year, elevating your game to another level.
βBeing my last year, Iβm trying to get that chance to play as long as I can, trying to make a name for myself more than I have.β β Alsadek
How Alsadek performed:Β Offensive linemen take great pride when the rushing game does well. In 2017, the Wildcats had the third-ranked rushing offense in FBS and Alsadek was a major part of that. Alsadek ended the year with honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 team.Β
