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| Ali Marpet was named to the
Senior Bowl All-Star team, a fine start on the long road to the NFL
draft. Hobart athletics photo |
Hobart College senior offensive lineman Ali Marpet has enjoyed an exceptional week of practice in preparation for the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. His efforts have drawn the attention of scouts from across the NFL and could make him the first Statesman ever selected in the NFL draft.
Marpet led one of the most effective offensive lines in the nation at Hobart. He didn't allow a sack this season for a line that ranked sixth in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.69/g). Hobart was also sixth in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed, yielding just 3.54 per game. Marpet was named to the AFCA and D3football.com All-America first teams and earned a spot on the AP Little All-America second team. The three-time first team All-Liberty League selection also garnered a share of the 2014 Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year award, the first offensive lineman to be so honored.
The last Division III player drafted was Albion cornerback Chris Greenwood, who was taken in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions in 2012. A Division III offensive lineman hasn't been drafted since 1996, when the Atlanta Falcons selected Ethan Brooks of Williams in the seventh round.
Hobart won its first 12 games this season, securing its fourth consecutive Liberty League championship and advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals before falling to then No. 4 Wesley. The Statesmen (12-1) were ranked No. 9 in the final D3football.com poll.
Marpet played left tackle for Hobart,
but is projected to play guard or possibly center in the NFL.
Before arriving in Mobile, NFL.com graded Marpet at 5.37 which is
in the range of "NFL backup or special teams potential." His grade
put him at No. 25 out of the 60 linemen graded.
In Mobile, Marpet's week of practice has draft experts
singing his praises in print and on social media. He was profiled
by the Associated Press, his hometown Journal News, Yahoo! Sports,
and the Baltimore Sun among others.
Heard from some guys that Hobart OL Ali Marpet is a top-100 lock
in the draft now. Packers scouts were responsible for him being in
Mobile
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) January
23, 2015
Ali Marpet continuing to dominate in pass protection drill. Just
planted Henry Anderson with perfect technique, balance
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January
22, 2015
Folks were perplexed when @SeniorBowlPhil invited
Hobart's Ali Marpet. Division 3 Kid going to play interior OL in
NFL? Showing he belongs
— NFL_DRAFT_Bites (@NFLDraftBites) January
20, 2015
Blogs dedicated to NFL teams, especially those in need of help on
the offensive line, have noted how well Marpet has performed in
Senior Bowl practices. BehindTheSteelCurtain.com's evaluation of
Marpet was typical of the praise the 6-foot-4, 307-pounder is
receiving, "...according to the vast amount of buzz coming out of
the Senior Bowl he's got the potential to be a good one. Reports
lauded his quickness and mobility, while noting that he was one of
the few players (along with Laken Tomlinson) who anchored well
enough to give the 343-pound 1st Round NT prospect Danny Shelton a
genuine run for his money."