NFL: Minnesota Vikings Rookie Spotlight on Offensive Lineman Demarcus Love

For this installment of Vikings Rookie Spotlight, we will be taking a look at rookie offensive lineman DeMarcus Love from the University of Arkansas. 

The 23-year-old was selected with the 168th pick in the 2011 draft. 

Love's football career started in Dallas, Texas, at David W. Carter High School, where he was a teammate of San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree. After helping his team to a state playoff berth his senior year, Love chose to attend the University of Arkansas. 

After being redshirted his freshman year, Love became a full-time starter his junior and senior seasons. Early in his college career, Love earned his playing time at right guard but was later moved to left tackle for his senior year. 

Love's intangibles are great. The two-time captain has never been seriously injured in a game and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in kinesiology. 

Before the draft, CBSSports.com ranked Love as the 12th-best lineman in the draft. His versatility is definitely something that works to his advantage and his big frame (6'4", 315lbs) really helps him in run blocking. Love also has long arms and very strong hands that help him in pass blocking. 

The real knocks against Love come in his speed and balance. Though he is quick off the ball, he lacks the quickness to play left tackle in the NFL. Because he struggles with speed off the edge, counter moves are effective against him, which could be a concern for Vikings coaches. 

Love was a first team All-SEC selection by both the Associated Press and the coaches. He also started in the Senior Bowl at left tackle. Love did not play particularly well in the Senior Bowl, and many credit that game for the slide in his draft stock.

The Minnesota Vikings had some serious issues with their offensive line in 2010. Hopefully with some youth and added depth we will see some improvement in 2011.

One player who might need to watch out for Love is left tackle Bryant McKinnie. Though Love doesn't possess the speed to replace McKinnie at left tackle, right tackle Phil Loadholt could move over to the left side, leaving a spot for Love on the right. I don't necessarily see that happening in 2011, but it is a possibility that could come in the next few seasons.

During his rookie season with the Vikings, I see Love getting some playing time in rotation at right guard and right tackle because of the versatility the young man possesses. 

I don't think he should have an issue making it through training camp, and hopefully he will be able to contribute early in his career. The only thing I know for sure is that Christian Ponder is going to need a better offensive line than the Vikings showed last season. If the rookie quarterback is going to survive the whole season against Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews and Ndamukong Suh, he is going to need some serious help from the big fellas up front. 

I wish Love the best of luck as the Vikings (hopefully) enter training camp in the next few weeks here. 

For the next installment, we will visit rookie defensive lineman Christian Ballard from the University of Iowa.