Luke Joeckel: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Texas A&M OT

Luke Joeckel, the former Texas A&M OT, is one of the most complete prospects of the 2013 NFL draft. In fact, he might just be the best prospect available in this year's draft.

He's coming off a season at Texas A&M that saw him bring in multiple honors, including the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. Joeckel should start from day one and instantly improve the left side of an offensive line for whoever drafts him.

Here are five things you need to know about Joeckel.

Combine results courtesy of NFL.com. College stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.

Background

Full Name: Luke Joeckel

Birthday: November 6, 1991

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

High School: Arlington High School

Major: Business

Year: Junior 

Joeckel was a four-year contributor for his high school football team and a three-year starter. He was a consensus All-American in 2009 and was considered a 4-star recruit heading into college.

Joeckel had college offers from Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and others before deciding to stay closer to home at Texas A&M. He enrolled early during the winter of 2010 to be able to participate in spring practice before his freshman season.

Statistics

2010: 13 starts, 170.4 rushing yards/game, 19 rushing touchdowns, 277.1 passing yards/game, 29 passing touchdowns, 31.2 points per game

2011: 13 starts, 199.2 rushing  yards/game, 29 rushing touchdowns, 291.1 passing yards/game, 29 passing touchdowns, 39.1 points per game

2012: 13 starts, 238.4 rushing yards/game, 46 rushing touchdowns, 316.9 passing yards/game, 28 passing touchdowns, 44.5 points per game

Luke Joeckel started all 13 games at left tackle as a true freshman. He was voted as a Consensus Freshman All-American.

He would go on to start all 13 games at the same position for the next two seasons, giving him 39 starts in his career. His final season at Texas A&M saw him win the Outland Trophy and be a Consensus All-American.

Joeckel improved over each season and was a key part to making the 2012 season such a dominant season for Texas A&M.

All statistics are from cfbstats.com and are team statistics.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 306 lbs.

Arm Length: 34-1/4" 

Hand Size: 10-1/8"

Combine Results

40-yard dash: 5.30 seconds

Bench press: 27 reps

Vertical jump: 28.5"

Broad jump: 106"

3 cone drill: 7.40 seconds (top performer)

20-yard shuttle: 4.68 seconds

While Luke Joeckel didn't have the most impressive of combine performances, he displayed good size and athleticism. His performance during positional drills didn't necessarily improve his stock, but it also didn't drop him from being considered one of the elite prospects available this year.

All combine results courtesy of NFL.com. 

Interesting Facts

You often hear about NFL players living in a football family, but Luke Joeckel's family takes it to a whole other level.

Not only did Joeckel play football in high school, but his twin brother Matt was the quarterback at his school and his older brother played Division III football. Both his father and grandfather played college football at Texas Tech.

If that isn't a family tree filled with football players, I don't know what is.

Observations

After an outstanding junior season at Texas A&M, Luke Joeckel established himself as one of the premier offensive tackles in the 2013 NFL draft. In fact, Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller feels that Joeckel is the best player available in this year's draft:

"

Too many favorites. The best? Luke Joeckel. RT @austin_cook45: who's really your favorite player this year?

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 10, 2013"

However, Mike Mayock over at NFL Network feels that Joeckel has been replaced as the best offensive tackle by Central Michigan's Eric Fisher (h/t Ian Rapoport):

"

In Mike Mayock's newest positional Top 5, a shift at offensive tackle. Eric Fisher moves up to #1, Luke Joeckel moves down to #2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2013"

The guys over at LostLetterman.com are really hoping that Joeckel doesn't turn out to be a bust in this year's draft:

"

Are we the only ones hoping Luke Joeckel isn't a bust just so we can avoid the "Joeckel & Hyde" newspaper headlines?

— LostLettermen.com (@LostLettermen) April 17, 2013"