[align=center]Bryan Bulaga | Offensive Tackle | Iowa | 6'5" - 312 lbs.[/align]
OVERVIEW
One of the more athletic "big men" eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft, Bulaga's versatility as a prepster made him one of the most sought after recruits coming out of high school. After playing four different positions during his days at Marion Central High School, he began his Iowa career as a left offensive guard. Obviously more talented than any lineman the university has had since the days of Robert Gallery (2000-03), the coaching staff decided to insert the true freshman into the starting lineup midway through the 2007 campaign.
Bulaga's powerful frame and long arms were more suited to play on the edge. He was shifted to the demanding left tackle position as a sophomore, showing marked improvement in utilizing his long reach and strong hands to engage defenders, rather than turn his opponents inside, like he did when blocking from the interior position.
During his days at Central Catholic High, Bulaga competed as an offensive tackle and tight end on offense, and also lined up at defensive end and even linebacker. He registered 261 career tackles with 46 stops for loss, 31 sacks and one interception. While playing tight end, he recorded 35 receptions for 665 yards and ten touchdowns. As an offensive tackle, no opponent ever registered a sack vs. him.
Bulaga garnered Parade and Prep Star All-American first-team honors as a senior, adding USA Today second-team accolades. The Chicago Tribune, Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Champaign News Gazette accorded him first-team All-State recognition that year, as he was also named Suburban Catholic Conference and Northwest Herald Area Player of the Year. The Chicago-Sun Times first-team All-Area pick added All-Conference as a junior, as he served as team captain during his final two seasons.
Bulaga received numerous scholarship offers, including such universities as Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin, with a number of those schools recruiting him as defensive lineman or tight end. He eventually chose Iowa, which promised him to play offensive line, his preferred position.
As a freshman, Bulaga played in the 2007 season opener vs. Northern Iowa, but missed the next five games with a shoulder injury. He returned to action vs. Illinois and then took over left guard starting duties for the final five contests. He earned Freshman All-Big Ten Conference honors from The Sporting News for his second half performances.
Bulaga was named All-Big Ten Conference second-team by the league's coaches and Sophomore All-American by College Football News in 2008. By fall camp, he took over the demanding left tackle position, helping the offense average 370.38 yards per game. He graded a team-best 85.38% for blocking consistency, registering 110 knockdowns that included fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks.
Primed for a breakout 2009 campaign, Bulaga was one of four juniors named to the team's Leadership Group. He was a preseason All-American and named to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists.
Bulaga registered an 84.0% grade for blocking consistency. The offense sorely missed him while he was sidelined and finished the year ranked 89th in total offense (336.31 ypg) after averaging 370.38 yards the previous season. The left tackle collected 79 knockdowns and had twelve touchdown-resulting blocks.
Despite missing three contests, Bulaga received Walter Camp All-American second-team honors. He was also named to the All-Big Ten Conference first-team. The league's coaches selected him Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Joining Robert Gallery (2003), Eric Steinbach (2002), Mike Devlin (1992), Dave Croston (1986) and Mike Haight (1985) as other Hawkeyes to receive that honor.
In early January, Bulaga announced that he was forgoing his final year of college football to apply for the 2010 NFL Draft. "After much deliberation and careful consideration, I have decided to forego my fourth year of college eligibility and enter the upcoming NFL draft. This was not an easy decision since my Iowa experience has been very positive and rewarding.
"I want to thank Coach Ferentz, Coach (Reese) Morgan and the rest of the Iowa football staff who played a significant role in my development. I will always be a Hawkeye and will carry that with me proudly wherever my future takes me. Thanks to everyone for the support you've always given me."
CAREER NOTES
Bulaga played in 30 games at Iowa, starting 28 contests, including five at left offensive guard and 25 at left tackle...During his time at tackle, Bulaga recorded 181 knockdowns with 27 touchdown-resulting blocks and eleven blocks downfield...During that time, he was penalized five times and allowed just 3.5 quarterback sacks and no pressures on 712 pass attempts...In 2009, he became the fifth Iowa player to be named Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year, joining Robert Gallery (2003), Eric Steinbach (2002), Mike Devlin (1992), Dave Croston (1986) and Mike Haight (1985).
2009 SEASON
Bulaga earned Walter Camp All-American first-team honors, adding second-team accolades from the Associated Press...All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice and became the sixth Hawkeye to be named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league's coaches...Member of the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award Watch Lists... One of four juniors named to the team's Leadership Group...Started the season opener and the final nine games at left offensive tackle ...The offense struggled, ranking 89th in the nation with an average of 336.31 yards per game, as the rushing attack placed 99th nationally (114.23 ypg), but Bulaga still graded 84.0% for blocking consistency while producing 79 knockdowns that included twelve touchdown-resulting blocks...Gave up two quarterback sacks on 392 pass plays and was penalized three times while appearing in ten contests.
2008 SEASON
Second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection by the league's coaches, adding honor-able mention by the media...Second-team Sophomore All-American choice by College Football News...Recipient of the team's Hustle Award...Limited in spring drills with a shoulder injury, Bulaga shifted to left offensive tackle, starting all thirteen games...The team's "Iron Man" participated in all 835 offensive snaps, registering a career-high 102 knockdowns and fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks...Graded 85.38% for blocking consistency...Penalized twice and allowed just 1.5 quarterback sacks on 320 pass plays.
2007 SEASON
Named to Freshman All-Big Ten Conference team by The Sporting News...Played in seven games, starting the final five contests vs. Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, Western Michigan and Minnesota at left offensive guard...Also played as a reserve vs. Northern Iowa and Illinois... Played every offensive snap during his five starting assignments.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.26 in the 40-yard dash...1.81 10-yard dash...3.03 20-yard dash...4.62 20-yard shuttle...7.40 three-cone drill...27.5-inch vertical jump...8'2" broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times...33 1/4-inch arm length...9 1/4-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Ill.) High School, playing football for head coach Ed Brucker...Earned Parade and Prep Star All-American first-team honors as a senior, adding USA Today second-team accolades...The Chicago Tribune, Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Champaign News Gazette accorded him first- team All-State recognition that year, as he was also named Suburban Catholic Conference and Northwest Herald Area Player of the Year...The Chicago-Sun Times first-team All-Area pick added All-Conference as a junior, as he served as team captain during his final two seasons...Honor Roll student.
PERSONAL
Communication Studies major...Son of Kathi and Joe Bulaga (pronounced boo-LAUG-uh)... Resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois.