Colby Gossett

For many college football fans around the country, Appalachian State is still considered a small school, though the program made the jump to the FBS level and the Sun Belt Conference in 2014 and has played the likes of Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee and Wake Forest since. Since getting passed over for a bowl in its first year at the FBS level (despite going 7-5 on the year), App State has rattled off three consecutive Sun Belt titles and is a 3-0 in bowl games, including a 34-0 throttling of Toledo in the Dollar General Bowl to cap this season. With the exception of Michigan (which was the first game of his redshirt freshman season) Gossett was among the Mountaineers playing in each of those games, starting 45 consecutive games at right guard after a lower leg injury sidelined him for the first five contests of his career. The recruiters only gave Gossett a two star grade out of high school, but like his beloved Mountaineers, he simply has not yet received the national respect he deserves - though his performance against more top competition at the Senior Bowl could change that. BACKGROUND Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... played both offensive tackle and defensive end as a prep standout ... earned first-team all-region recognition as an offensive lineman and notched 42 tackles and three sacks defensively as a senior ... 2012 Chamber Bowl all-star game participant ... coached by Blair Armstrong.

in our view

Though he may be limited to just the right guard position in the NFL, Gossett is one of the better "small school" senior offensive linemen in the 2018 draft. He performed well when pitted against top competition and possesses the frame, physical nature and good technique required at the next level, projecting as a potential starting candidate by the end of his rookie deal.

strengths

Gossett sports a powerful, well distributed frame with broad shoulders, thick limbs and a solid base. He shows good initial quickness off the snap, creating a surge at the point of attack with powerful hands and good leg drive. His experience shows when blocking at the second level, demonstrating very good anticipation and an efficient path to meeting linebackers, latching on to them with strong hands and the core flexibility, power and balance to turn and seal them away from the ball-carrier. Gossett shows very good coordination between his hands and feet in pass protection, shooting his hands from his hips to provide a powerful initial punch to opponents and shuffling his feet to mirror. He possesses the core strength and flexibility to handle bull rushers, playing with his knees bent and butt down. He is a very physical, competitive player who looks to knock opponents to the turf when he senses them off-balance. -- Rob Rang 1/11/2018

compares to

Daniel Kilgore, 49ers - As a fifth round pick out of Appalachian State, himself, Kilgore knows better than most how steep the jump in competition will be for Gossett. The comparison isn't just based on their similar background, however. Like the 6-3, 310 pound starting center for the 49ers, Gossett possesses a thick, well-distributed frame and plays with the tenacity and consistency which has helped both players start every game in which they've played the past four years.

weaknesses

More of a technician and grappler than a top athlete, showing functional quickness to get to the second level but lacking the straight-line speed and explosiveness to impress in workouts or - more importantly - handle a switch to any other position along the offensive line. Suffers from some lapses in technique, dropping his head on contact, occasionally, and leaving himself vulnerable to over-arm swim moves. Must continue to keep his feet chopping, losing his balance and getting knocked aside when he gets lazy, plants his feet and leans into opponents. Played against lower competition throughout much of his career... - Rob Rang 1/11/2018

Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com

played both offensive tackle and defensive end as a prep standout

earned first-team all-region recognition as an offensive lineman and notched 42 tackles and three sacks defensively as a senior

2012 Chamber Bowl all-star game participant

coached by Blair Armstrong.

Full name is Colby William Gossett

born June 23, 1995 (22 years old)

son of Lisa Baldwin

enjoys fishing and hunting

majoring in management.