Rookie Spotlight: Brandon Scherff Will Add Size And Strength To Redskins O-line
By Danny Cox
Name: Brandon Scherff
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 319 lbs.
Position: OG
School: Iowa
Draft Pick: Fifth overall pick in First Round
The Washington Redskins dealt with a number of problems in 2014, and it resulted in another bad season and countless injuries. One of the biggest problems was quarterback protection and the offensive line opening holes for the running game. With that, they used their first-round pick to select Brandon Scherff.
Scherff is a big kid out of Iowa who has size, promise, agility and versatility. He provides a large body that is able to shore up the offensive line and give quarterback Robert Griffin III the protection he needs against the strong pass-rush teams in the NFL.
At Denison High School, Scherff was a two-way lineman who earned first team All-State honors on offense as a senior. As a junior, he earned second team All-State honors on defense. Showing just how versatile he can be, Scherff played quarterback for Denison during his sophomore year while also participating in baseball, track and basketball.
Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas State were all chasing after Scherff, but he chose Iowa and decided to stay close to home.
He redshirted his freshman season, and played in 11 games while starting three of them at left guard. His sophomore season saw him advance enough to take over the starting left tackle spot from Riley Reiff.
Unfortunately, Scherff started only seven games before breaking a fibula and dislocating an ankle, missing the rest of the season due to injury.
Scherff returned for his junior season and stood out as one of the most dominant offensive lineman in the entire country. He wasn't done in school though, and chose to return for his senior year to play more football and receive his B.A. degree. After his senior year, Scherff rightfully won the Outland Trophy for the best interior lineman in the country.
Always projected as a high pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Brandon Scerff was taken fifth by the Redskins and was the first offensive lineman selected.
Since joining the Redskins, Scherff has been moved over to right tackle and coaching staff members have admitted that he has "had some struggles." The young rookie is doing what needs to be done to correct any issues though, and has stayed late after all offseason training activity programs to practice more and fix mistakes.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden has faith in Scherff, and believes he will be a star in the NFL. Many NFL experts also believe that Brandon Scherff will be the Redskins starting right tackle when the season begins.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
