2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Oday Aboushi Scouting Profile

It is clear that the Denver Broncos are looking to shore up their Offensive Line depth and due to the injuries that occurred in 2012, that is probably a superb idea. Andrew Mason shared a Tweet about a week ago, informing us of a formal interview that took place with an O-Line prospect at the NFL Combine.

Virginia OT Oday Aboushi says he is scheduled for a formal interview w/ the #Broncos tonight. OT at UVa, also worked at G at Senior Bowl.

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 22, 2013

Oday Aboushi, a 6’5", 308 lb., 3 year Letterman for the Cavaliers, is ranked 10th out of 158 Tackle prospects and 102nd overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. His 40 Time at the Combine was 5.45 seconds and he is projected to the 3rd round in April.

BIO

#72 Oday Aboushi
Date of birth: June 5, 1991 (age 21)

COMBINE
6'5", 308 lbs.
Arm Length-33 7/8"
Hand Length-10 5/8"
Bench Press-17
Vertical Jump-23.5"
Broad Jump-100'
3 Cone-7.92
20 yd Shuttle-4.84
Lateral Agility Score-0.61

Aboushi attended the University of Virginia from 2009 to 2012. During his career he started 37 of 43 games. As a senior he was a Team Captain and a 1st team All-ACC selection.

In 2012, Oday was an early selection to the 2013 Senior Bowl roster, an honor which recognizes Aboushi as one of the top players in the country at his position. He started all 12 games at Left Tackle, grading out over 90 percent in all 2012 games and averaging 10+ knockdown blocks per game. Aboushi was honored as the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play against Penn State, grading out at 94 percent against the Nittany Lions and 97 percent against Miami.

During his Junior year (2011), Oday was one of 13 players to start all 13 games for the Cavs, teaming up with Luke Bowanko (RG), Anthony Mihota (C), Morgan Moses (RT) and Austin Pasztor (LG) to start every game on the Offensive Line. Twice named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, Aboushi won the award following 13 knockdown blocks and helping UVa roll up 360 yards of total offense in a road win at Indiana. The 2nd award came after 11 knockdown blocks in a road win at Miami.

In 2010, Oday started all 12 games for the Cavaliers, the first five at Right Tackle and the other seven at Left Tackle. He was named ACC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week following the Richmond game (9/4) and saw action in 897 plays, including 838 on offense.

In 2009, Aboushi made his freshman collegiate debut against Indiana. He appeared in six games and his playing time steadily increased as the season went on. Oday saw action on 94 total offensive plays and did a nice job at Offensive Tackle in the late season road game at Clemson. He became part of the rotation on the Line as the season wore on.

DRAFT PROFILE

NFL.COM DRAFT GRADE-78.1

STRENGTHS: A tall, physical Tackle with a growing frame. Oday is a terrific in-line run blocker who flashes attitude and will take his man to the ground if he gets him off-balance. Looks to dominate his target and will pancake or drive him deep downfield whenever he can. Aboushi has experience at both Tackle positions. He shows adequate initial quickness off the snap and gets a strong initial punch onto the defender. He has the heavy hands to latch on and control his opponent. Rolls his hips into contact and keeps his legs churning to knock defenders off the ball with good effort into the second level. Mentally tough individual, as demonstrated by the fact that he grew up a Muslim American in Brooklyn, NY.

WEAKNESSES: Relies more on his size and physicality to compensate for a lack of ideal athleticism. Lacks the light feet and balance to remain at Left Tackle in the NFL as he struggles with speed rushers and counter moves. Will over-compensate to the outside and leave open cut-back lanes between he and his guard. Will get fundamentally lazy, at times, leaning into his opponent and standing up rather than playing on the balls of his feet and with proper knee bend. Stops his feet when punching on occasion, or if his man hesitates, allowing secondary rushes. Plays to and through the whistle, drawing needless penalties, at times. Less than ideal arm length for a potential tackle and has no experience playing inside over his career.

NFL COMPARISON: Eben Britton (Jaguars), Breno Giacomini (Seahawks)

Oday Aboushi fails to display the necessary athletic ability required to be a starting Left Tackle in the NFL. His initial kick step is slow and his footwork is forced and unnatural. He labors to shuffle and slide, and is easily overwhelmed by speed rushers off the edge.

On the flip-side, Aboushi is an adequate pass protector vs. power moves/bull rush. His overall size works to his advantage in close quarters, and if he is able to get his hands on the defender, he usually wins. He can get sloppy with his hand placement at time and if he doesn’t improve his overall technique, he may be an oft-penalized player in the NFL.

He’ll have a much better chance if he is converted to guard. I see Aboushi as a solid depth player who could have a niche role as a swing, reserve lineman on a team with an established starting 5.-Bryan Perez-FirstRoundGrade.com

Senior Bowl Week

The physicality shown by Virginia Tackle Oday Aboushi certainly captured the attention of NFL talent evaluators in the stands. Asked to alternate between Left and Right Tackle throughout the day, Aboushi protected his Quarterback and consistently cleared lanes for the South's Running Backs. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Aboushi is surprisingly athletic, demonstrating enough lateral agility and flexibility to handle the South's top pass rushers. He surrendered just one "Sack" throughout the entire practice, when Georgia Defensive End Cornelius Washington beat him with a quick inside move after initially lining up quite wide. Washington, however, might be the closest thing the South defense has to a true speed rusher. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

NFLDraft Scout

VIDEOS

Oday Aboushi vs. Georgia Tech (2012)

Oday Aboushi vs UNC 2012

Oday Aboushi is a big, physical and aggressive Lineman who doesn’t possess the athleticism to play Tackle in the Pros, even though that was his position in College. His short (by OT standards) arm span won’t translate at the next level. Even though he has an excellent Lateral Agility Score, his footwork and balance are still subpar. All this means is he’s not a good fit for a Zone Blocking team and should move to Guard. Oday will need coaching up even then in order to get playing time beyond the Field Goal Unit. Aboushi seems like too much of a project as a 3rd rounder for Denver.

Go Broncos!

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