Prospect Profile: OT Oday Aboushi - Virginia

UVA Profile:

Name:  Oday Aboushi
Height:  6' - 6"
Weight:  310 lbs.
Class:  Senior
Roster Years:  2009 - 2012
Hometown:  Brooklyn, NY
Date of Birth:  6/5/91 (21 years old)
High School:  Xaverian

2012 (Senior Year):  Started all 12 games a Left Tackle.  Graded out at 90+ in every game he started in 2012, including 10+ knockdown blocks in each game.  2012 All-ACC First Team (Coaches AND Media).  Early selection to the 2013 Senior Bowl and will compete January 26th in Mobile, AL.

2011 (Junior Year):  Started all 13 games at Left Tackle, helping protect the blind side on an offensive line that started the exact same players at every position for every game.  Named All-ACC Second Team.  Was one of about a dozen Muslim student-athletes to be honored by Secretary of State Clinton commenorating Eid ul-Fitr, and Islamic religious holiday commemorating the end of Ramadan.

2010 (Sophomore Year):  Started all 12 games, the first 5 at Right Tackle, the last 7 at Left Tackle.  

2009 (Freshman Year):  Appeared in 6 games as a true freshman, steadily increasing his playing time as the year went on.

2012 (#72 Senior Year Highlights):






2011 (#72 Junior Year Highlights):


Strengths (+):
+ Good size and wingspan
+ Above average athleticism for a man his size
+ Good feet, not a heavy stepper, dances well
+ Maximum effort on almost all plays
+ Strong second level blocker
+ Finisher, punishes blocks to the whistle
+ Extremely consistent career, started every game for 3 seasons
+ Hard worker, film junky, constantly demands improvement of himself
+ Stamina is above average, looks good in the 4th quarter, better than most OTs

Weaknesses (-):
- Could stand to gain 10-15 lbs. for the Pros
- While he has very light feet and long arms, he can get lazy on his base and positioning sometimes, becoming over-reliant on his reach
- Needs to be more consistent from play to play in run blocking, can lose leverage when out of position

Draft Analysis:
Aboushi is a strong, smart, feisty, consistent player who has been a mainstay on the Cavalier offensive line for the last 3 seasons.  With his combination size and above average athleticism he projects as a NFL Offensive Tackle in an active Zone Blocking Scheme.  Aboushi has the feet and frame to be a blind side tackle in the NFL, showing strong potential to keep speed rushers at bay.  He'll need to continue his development physically to be more consistent in the run game on the line of scrimmage, but his second level skills, and ability to stick to open field blocks look good already.

Outlook as a Raider:
With Jake Matthews not declaring for the NFL Draft, tackles like Taylor Lewan, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson have been jumping up Big Boards into the Top 15.  Luke Joeckel is far and away the Top OT prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft Class, perhaps the Top Prospect Overall.  Aboushi fits into the top tier of the 2nd Level of Offensive Tackle prospects this Draft Season, right there with D.J. Fluker, Kyle Long, Dallas Thomas, Brennan Williams (who's nursing a season ending torn labrum, same injury that Oregon DE Dion Jordan recently had surgery for), Justin Pugh and Menelik Watson (Pugh and Watson both recently declared).  Almost a deadlock as a 2nd Rounder in April, Aboushi could improve his stock into the late 1st Round with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and Combine.  His immense experience and willingness to improve above all else should make his transition to the NFL an easy adjustment. As far as Oakland is concerned, they are indeed looking for help on the Offensive Line.  While Left Tackle Jared Veldheer has been set since he was drafted, some competition is always healthy.  Aboushi would definitely add to the Camp battles this offseason at Left Tackle, and of course be a strong possibility at Right Tackle, most likely even pushing Khalif Barnes or Willie Smith out.  Greg Knapp and his play action West Coast Offense with heavy Zone Blocking Scheme tendencies has been fired as Offensive Coordinator, so the next OC in Oakland will say a lot about what kind of OL the Raiders bring in.  Aboushi projects as a ZBS Tackle, but he is also a solid athlete who can pass protect.  Aboushi could indeed fit into a Power scheme with the right Guards to fill in alongside him.  His pass protection and athleticism will make him a very sought after prospect for any NFL team, but especially for the Raiders.  A trade down with a gained 2nd Round pick would most likely be the scenario for an Aboushi to be in Oakland.  Perhaps trading down from No. 3 to the No. 4 - No. 10 slots, gaining a 2nd Round pick...a high 2nd Round pick will most likely be needed.