Courtney Van Buren
Number: 71
Offensive Line
Senior, Arkansas Pine-Bluff Golden Lions
6-6, 360 lbs., 5.31 (40-yd. dash)

Arkansas Pine-Bluff senior offensive lineman Courtney Van Buren is a hard man to miss when the Golden Lions hit the field. At 6-foot-6, 360 pounds, the preseason All-SWAC candidate stands out in the huddle and then continues to do so when you watch his play on the field. He is currently the team's starting right tackle, but has been versatile enough to play both tackle positions during his four-year career and worked exclusively at right guard this past spring.

The Missouri native has given up just two sacks this season, which is quite impressive given the fact that he is playing on an offensive line which for the most part is vastly inexperienced (four freshman). He was recruited by Illinois, Missouri and Ole Miss coming out of high school, but most schools wanted him to play on the offensive side of the ball, while he had played defensive tackle in high school. The Arkansas Pine-Bluff coaching staff was no different, as he was switched over to offensive line during his red-shirt freshman season.

"Everyone wanted me to play offensive line... but I was always a defensive player", according to Van Buren, "Once I got moved over to the offensive side of the ball... I just took to it and now I love it!" It has shown in his level of play and consistency. He has gone from being a physically gifted athlete to a solid all-around blocker with impressive footwork for someone of his stature. Van Buren moves like players who are 50 pounds lighter than him... light on his feet... very strong upper-body... he has the ideal measurables to be a fine right tackle in the NFL. In fact, for a 360-pound lineman he can dunk and do a complete split.

He is an impressive young man off the field, as well, currently has a 2.9 GPA in Political Science and will complete his degree at the end of this semester. Van Buren is also very settled in his personal life, as he and his fiancée will have their first child in December. "(I) have a lot to work hard for over the next few months", says Van Buren, "I know that I can play and succeed against the top defensive linemen... all I need is the opportunity to prove myself."

Van Buren is 6-foot-6, 360 lbs., averages 5.30 in the 40, 4.70 in the 20-yard shuttle, 31" vertical, routinely does 26-30 reps of 225 lbs. and has done a single-best bench press of 455 pounds. He has 35 1/2-inch arms and 10 3/4-inch hands, which could also help him become a contributor on special teams in terms of blocking extra points and field goals.

This is a kid to keep a close eye on over the next few months, as he gets the chance to work primarily on dropping a few pounds, while increasing his quickness and weight room strength. Scouts will always pay close attention to how a 360-pound lineman treats his post-season conditioning and training. It can be the difference in earning a draftable grade come April or finding yourself signed as an undrafted free agent after the draft.

If Van Buren can average 5.2-5.3 in the 40 and show impressive footwork and weight room strength it will be possible for him to follow in the footsteps of players like Michael Thompson (Atlanta-4th round) and Jamie Nails (Miami-4th round), who were drafted after playing at similar programs and showing the same kind of size, footwork and potential. In fact, his overall appearance and play on the field is similar to that of a younger version of Chicago Bears right tackle James Williams. For those reasons you can look for "Big Van" to steamroll his way onto an NFL team near you this April.

Special thanks to the Pine-Bluff Commercial Sports Department and Photographers for their help and professionalism.