T.J. Lang | Guard/Tackle | Eastern Michigan | 6'4" - 316 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Originally recruited as a defensive lineman, Lang has made a remarkable transformation over the last three years since being moved to the offensive front wall. Despite coming into his own as a tackle in 2008, many professional scouts feel that his drive blocking ability, reach and quick hand placement could see him shift inside to guard or center in the National Football League.
Since moving positions, Lang went on to start 36 consecutive games, including his last 26 at the demanding left tackle slot. While lined up at that position, he registered 169 knock-downs and 21 touchdown-resulting blocks during his junior and senior campaigns. Playing with a defensive lineman's experience has also been beneficial, as he produced sixteen tackles (8 solos) and blocked two kicks during his 43-game career at EMU.
Lang began his prep career at Lakeland High School, lettering in both football and baseball as a sophomore. He transferred to Brother Rice High as a junior, where he helped the team to the state finals and was named the squad's Most Improved Lineman.
As a senior, Lang started on both lines. He earned All-State Division II first-team honors and was ranked 33rd on the Fab 50 list of the Detroit Free Press, adding All-North accolades from that news service. He was named his team's Lombardi Award winner as the Most Outstanding Lineman and was nominated for the Gatorade Player of the Year award in the state of Michigan.
In his final prep campaign, Lang recorded 93 tackles (59 solos) with 8.5 quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery, making the Associated Press All-State Division II squad. He also won the Defensive Line award at the University of Michigan 2004 summer camp.
In 2005, Lang was one of seven true freshmen to letter at Eastern Michigan. He appeared in all eleven games, seeing action in seven contests on defense while starting the season opener vs. Cincinnati at left defensive tackle. He finished the season with eleven tackles (4 solos), as he assisted on a stop behind the line of scrimmage and blocked a kick vs. Western Michigan.
As a sophomore, Lang switched to the offensive line, starting ten contests at right tackle and two more on the left side. He also switched from jersey #93 that he wore in 2005 to #50 for the rest of his career. He posted 74 knockdowns with seven touchdown-resulting blocks and was named Player of the Game vs. Louisiana-Lafayette. He also collected three tackles.
Lang started all twelve games at left tackle in 2007, delivering 83 knockdowns and ten touchdown-resulting blocks. He also blocked a kick and recorded a solo tackle. The team averaged 337.5 yards in total offense as the front wall ranked second in the Mid-American Conference, allowing just 1.42 quarterback sacks per game, the 24th-best figure in the nation.
As a senior, Lang again manned the left tackle slot in all twelve games, garnering All-Mid American Conference recognition. He registered eleven touchdown-resulting blocks to go with 86 knockdowns, as he also came up with a solo tackle, but turned the ball over after handling a reception for a 4-yard loss. The Eagles relied on him protecting the blind side, as EMU ranked 20th nationally in passing, averaging 269.33 yards per game.
CAREER NOTES
As an offensive lineman, Lang started 26 games at left tackle and ten more on the right side, producing 243 knockdowns and 28 touchdown-resulting blocks... Over his final two seasons, he recorded 21 touchdown-resulting blocks, 169 knockdowns and 17 down field blocks, grading 81.67% for blocking consistency... Allowed seven quarterback sacks and nine pressures on 860 pass plays... For his career, he collected sixteen tackles (8 solos) with an assisted stop for a 3-yard loss and blocked a pair of kicks.
2008 SEASON
All-Mid American Conference first-team and Super Sleeper Team selection by The NFL Draft Report, adding second-team All-MAC honors from the league's coaches... Earned the Harold E. Sponberg Award, given annually to the top down lineman scholar-athlete... Lined up at left offensive tackle, coming up with 86 knockdowns, eleven touchdown-resulting blocks and nine down field blocks, grading 83.08% for blocking consistency... Penalized three times and handled a reception for a4-yard loss (turned the ball over on a fumble) while also making a solo tackle...Allowed 4.5 quarterback sacks and three pressures on 499 pass plays... Helped the team rank 20th in the nation and third in the MAC in passing (269.33 ypg) and 25th in the major college ranks in total offense (417.5 ypg).
2007 SEASON
All-MAC second-team pick by The Gridiron Report... Started all twelve games at left offensive tackle... Earned Player of the Game honors vs. Northwestern, Bowling Green and Central Michigan... Recorded 83 knockdowns, eight down field blocks and ten touchdown-resulting blocks, finishing with a blocking consistency grade of 80.25%...Blocked a field goal vs. Northern Illinois that saved the game in the final seconds and posted a solo tackle vs. Vanderbilt... Part of a front wall that ranked second in the conference and 24th in the nation, allowing just 1.42 quarterback sacks per game... Gave up 2.5 of those sacks, along with six pressures on 399 pass plays... Helped the Eagles average 337.5 yards in total offense and 156.0 yards rushing per game.
2006 SEASON
Moved to the offensive line, starting the first ten contests at right tackle before shifting to the left side vs. Kent State and Northern Illinois... Named the team's Offensive Player of the Game at Louisiana Lafayette (Sept. 30)... Earned a Championship Performance Award vs. Toledo, Championship Special Teams awards for the Central Michigan and Bowling Green games and a Winning Performance award vs. Central Michigan...Changed from jersey #93 to #50 prior to the season opener, coming up with 74 knockdowns and seven touchdown-resulting blocks for a unit that averaged 276.15 yards in total offense per game...Also made three tackles, including one each vs. Ohio University, Navy and Kent State.
2005 SEASON
One of seven true freshmen to letter, Lang appeared in eleven games, starting the season opener vs. Cincinnati as a 250- pound left defensive tackle... Registered eleven tackles (4 solos) with an assisted stop for a 3-yard loss and a blocked field goal.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
5.12 in the 40-yard dash... 1.80 10-yard dash...2.95 20-yard dash.. .4.74 20-yard shuttle... 7.71 three-cone drilL. ..26-inch vertical jump... 8'6" broad jump... Bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times... 515-pound squat...318-pound hang clean...32 %- inch arm length... 9 5/8-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from Brother Rice (Birmingham, Mich.) High School, playing football as a junior and senior for head coach AI Fracassa...As a senior, Lang started on both lines, earning All-State Division II first-team honors and was ranked 33rd on the Fab 50 list of the Detroit Free Press, adding All-North accolades from that news service... Named his team's Lombardi Award winner as the Most Outstanding Lineman and was nominated for the Gatorade Player of the Year award in the state of Michigan.. .In his final prep campaign, Lang recorded 93 tackles (59 solos) with 8.5 quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery, making the Associated Press All-State Division II squad, helping the team to the state finals and was named the squad's Most Improved Lineman...Also won the Defensive Line award at the University of Michigan 2004 summer camp... Began his prep career at Lakeland High School, lettering in both football and baseball as a sophomore.
PERSONAL
Criminal Justice major... One of five children of Lynn Confer and Thomas Lang... Born Thomas John Lang, Jr. on 9/20/87... Resides in Ferndale, Michigan.