Ryan Otten: 5 Things You Need to Know About the San Jose State TE

Ryan Otten is a small-school prospect from San Jose State who projects as a contributor in the NFL. He's got a solid all-around game that a number of teams would love to help boost their offense.

Otten isn't the most athletic tight end available in the 2013 NFL draft, but he has sure hands and a willingness to block. Let's take a look at five things you need to know about the former San Jose State tight end. 

Background

Full Name: Ryan Otten

Birthday: April 7, 1990

Hometown: Carmichael, California

High School: Del Oro High

Major: Business Management

Year: Senior

Statistics

Ryan Otten was a four-year contributor for San Jose State. His production increased during each of his first three seasons before dropping just a little during his senior year.

The biggest problem with looking at Otten's statistics is that so much of what he excels in isn't a numerical statistic. For example, Otten's best trait is his blocking, but there are no common statistics for excelling at blocking.

However, Otten did put up solid numbers over the course of his collegiate career that should make plenty of teams happy.

YEAR	REC	YDS	YDS/REC	TD
2009	10	78	7.8	0
2010	17	201	11.8	3
2011	52	739	14.2	5
2012	47	742	15.8	4

All statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 230 lbs.

Arm Length: 33-3/8"

Hand Size: 9-5/8"

Pro Day Results

40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds

Bench press: 17 reps

Vertical jump: 33"

Broad jump: 112"

Ryan Otten was knocked out of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine with a staph infection. However, he used a strong pro-day performance to show NFL teams what he brings to the field.

He has decent quickness, athleticism and strength, but isn't elite with any of those traits.

Pro day results courtesy of WalterFootball.com.

Interesting Facts

While it's unlikely that Ryan Otten will ever enter the college Hall of Fame for his contribution at San Jose State, another member of his family is already there. Otten's mother, Laurie (Cruse) Otten, was a softball player for Sierra college.

In 2008, she was inducted into the college Hall of Fame.

Observations

When Ryan Otten found out he had a staph infection at the Senior Bowl, things didn't seem like they'd ever get better. In a report from Pro Football Talk, Otten knew things weren't good when he first found out what was ailing him. He said, “I hope I don’t lose an arm or my hand or fingers or something. When they told me it was a staph infection, I knew it was bad stuff.”

Phil Savage, the director of the Senior Bowl, felt that Otten's drive to stay on the field was something that would impress teams, saying:

"

I think he’ll get a lot of credit for that. There’s no question that life in the NFL is not easy. It’s a long, grueling season, and teams definitely take a player’s temperament and toughness into consideration.

"

While Otten didn't get to show off his complete talents at the Senior Bowl or NFL Scouting Combine, his toughness was still able to show on the field.