Braxston Cave: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Notre Dame Center

Notre Dame center Braxston Cave is one of just a handful of centers to be considered at least a mid-round prospect in this year's draft. For teams in the market for a center, Cave will be a hot commodity.

The physically imposing Cave is a tough, hard-nosed player who will be a strong presence in the locker room.

Here's a look at Cave the man and the football player. 

Background

Full Name: Braxston Cave

Birthday: July 29, 1989

Hometown: Granger, IN

High School: Penn High School

Major: Psychology

Year: Redshirt Senior

Born and raised in Fighting Irish country, Cave (not surprisingly) decided to attend Notre Dame after being a highly sought-after recruit. He is currently a graduate student after earning his degree in 2012.

(courtesy und.com)

Statistics

Year	Games Played	Games Started
2008	1	0
2009	12	0
2010	13	13
2011	9	9
2012	13	13

Cave became a starter in his third year in South Bend, starting every game he played in from then on. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2011 but was otherwise very durable for the Fighting Irish.

He also helped pave the way for Notre Dame to exceed 200 yards per game on the ground in 2012.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 303 lbs.

Arm Length: 32"

Hand Size: 9.375"

Combine Results

40-yard dash: 5.33 seconds

Broad jump: 98"

Vertical jump: 25.5"

3-Cone Drill: 7.81 seconds

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.71 seconds

Cave was by no means a combine standout, but he displayed enough athleticism to be an adequate NFL center. His arm length isn't ideal, but 32" is enough to make it in the NFL.

Cave also participated in the Under Armour Senior Bowl.

(All numbers courtesy of NFL.com.)

Interesting Facts

Not only is Cave an excellent football player, but he was also an excellent track and field athlete in high school, throwing the shot put over 51 feet and the discus 145 feet.

Now, Cave is a graduate student after earning a degree in psychology in May, 2012.

Observations

Cave is at his best blocking one-on-one in the ground game. He's not especially quick, but he's tough and tenacious, allowing him to push around opponents.

Against speed, he struggles badly, as he lacks the technique to make up for his mediocre foot quickness.

Walter Cherepinsky of Walterfootball.com summarizes his issues nicely, writing, "For the NFL, Cave is a mauler at the line of scrimmage but isn't quick or agile. He struggled against Purdue speedy defensive tackle Kawann Short early in the 2012."