D.J. Fluker: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Alabama OT

D.J. Fluker is one of the—if not the—most powerful and physical imposing offensive linemen in the 2013 NFL draft class. 

He was a full-time starter for Alabama for two seasons and spearheaded a tremendously devastating offensive front in 2012 for the national champion Crimson Tide. 

Here are five things you need to know about him.

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

Background

Full Name: D.J. Fluker

Birthday: March 13, 1991

Hometown: Born in New Orleans, La., raised in Mobile, Ala.

High School: McGill-Toolen Catholic High School

Major: Health Studies

Year: r-Junior

 

Coming out of high school in 2009, Rivals.com rated Fluker as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country, ahead of Florida's Xavier Nixon, LSU's Chris Faulk and Michigan's Taylor Lewan. He has already graduated from Alabama.

Statistics

2010: Fluker helped a line that finished 29th nationally in rushing offense at 182.92 yards per game. He appeared in 10 games and started nine of them.

2011: He helped Alabama rank 16th nationally running the football with an average of 214.5 yards per game and started all 13 games.

2012: He was second on the team with 33 pancake blocks and allowed only four sacks in 267 pass attempts. He also started all 13 games.

(All statistics courtesy of RollTide.com.)

Alabama's team yards-per-carry average of 5.6 in 2012 ranked sixth in the FBS.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'5''

Weight: 339 pounds

Arm Length: 36 1/4''

Hand Size: 10.5''

Combine Results

40-yard dash: 5.31

Bench: 21 reps

Fluker did not participate in any of the testing during the Alabama pro day, but he did do on-field work. 

Interesting Facts

Fluker and his family were forced to move from New Orleans, La. due to Hurricane Katrina. Fluker could have had a completely different career path had he never moved to Alabama.

Observations

Fluker is an absolutely mauling offensive tackle who has the size and sheer power to punish starting NFL defensive linemen today. 

Although he moves well for his size, his feet don't appear to be fast enough to play left tackle. As a right tackle or guard, he has All-Pro potential.