David Sharpe

Football is a big man's game and they simply don't come much bigger than Sharpe, who after starting the past two seasons at left tackle for the Gators, elected to give up his final year of eligibility and enter the 2017 draft. Blessed with a massive frame and surprising quickness, Sharpe was highly recruited by football and basketball programs, alike, choosing Florida over the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and a host of others. He was considered one of the crown jewels of Florida's 2014 recruiting class and quickly earned playing time, seeing action in six games as a reserve left tackle behind D.J. Humphries, the first round pick of the Arizona Cardinals later that year. With Humphries heading early to the NFL, himself, Sharpe took over at the critical left tackle position, a role he would maintain in 26 of the 27 games the Gators played over the next two seasons. He was the only offensive lineman to start every game for Florida this past season. While his natural tools could leave NFL scouts as awe-struck as college recruiters were, Sharpe is far from a finished product. As one might expect given his massive size, Sharpe was vulnerable to speedy edge rushers, which is why his NFL future could be inside at guard.

in our view

Sharpe's sheer size helped him hold up at left tackle in the SEC but speed rushers gave him fits. He possesses the tools to excite scouts but he is a project whose best position in the NFL may be inside at guard - where he never played at Florida.

strengths

For a man of his incredible size, Sharpe carries his bulk well, sporting broad shoulders and thick limbs with good overall weight distribution. He is surprisingly quick off the ball in pass protection, generating instant depth with his kick slide. He possesses very long arms and terrific upper body strength to corral edge rushers when he gets his hands on them. The combination of his deep kick-slide and length extend the arc for edge rushers, leaving gaps that a running quarterback could exploit. Sharpe is a bit inconsistent with his initial quickness off the snap as a run blocker but when he times it right and keeps his pad level low, he can drive opponents off the ball.

weaknesses

Sharpe lacks the foot quickness to remain outside at left tackle in the NFL and may be best suited sliding inside to guard. He lumbers off the ball and struggles to recover once beaten, extending his arms and grabbing cloth, which will lead to holding penalties in the NFL. He over-sets to the outside, leaving the inside free for savvy pass rushers to attack with spins and counter-moves. He does not play with ideal knee bend, too often instead bending at the waist and is frequently high with his hands, as a result, punching opponents high in the chest and neck and too often slipping off as they move. Too often he will lean into opponents and duck his head on contact in the running game, failing to keep his feet driving and leaving himself off-balance and struggling to sustain.

2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection

Named to the MaxPreps All-America First Team

Helped Providence average 227.3 rushing yards per game in 2013

Also played basketball in high school

Chose to attend Florida over Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee among others

Coached by Bobby Raulerson.