Branden Albert bumped up his draft status with a solid NFL Combine showing. Michael Conroy/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Virginia guard soared up draft boards

Date published: 4/24/2008

By TAFT COGHILL JR.

The initial game film Al Groh received from Glen Burnie (Md.) High School wasn't quite in focus and the picture was a bit blurry.

But not even the tape's poor quality could hide what the Virginia football coach was looking for: his next dominant offensive lineman.

Groh found just that in Branden Albert, and on Saturday, the former Virginia all-Atlantic Coast Conference left guard expects to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Albert wasn't a highly touted prospect after high school and one year at Hargrave Military Academy, but his work ethic and versatility displayed in three seasons at Virginia has NFL teams very interested in his services.

"Branden's a wonderful success story," Groh said. "He's a player who didn't have a lot of hype. He's just been diligent and resolute in pursuing his career and development."

Albert's stock has soared since he declared for the draft following the Cavaliers' Gator Bowl loss to Texas Tech in January.

He was confident he made the right decision, but didn't expect to be so highly regarded.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. recently had Albert tabbed as high as fifth overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

That's probably the best-case scenario, but Albert shouldn't have to wait too long after that.

"I knew I had the potential to be a first-round pick, but coming out as a junior, you never know if people are really paying attention to you," Albert said. "I thought I might go in the second-round or late first-round, but to be where I am right now, I didn't think so."

Albert's versatility is the primary reason he's in the position he's in.

Guards are rarely chosen so high, but Albert started two games at the more glamorous left tackle position last season when Eugene Monroe was out with an injury.

Groh said Albert could've played left tackle from the start of his career, if not for the presence of Monroe. He said Albert's "got tackle skills," but didn't play there because it was Monroe's natural position.

Tony Pauline, the draft analyst for Sports Illustrated's Web site, said Albert was a "fringe first-rounder" before he showed at the NFL Combine and in individual workouts that he's capable of playing left tackle.

Date published: 4/24/2008