Battle-Tested Offensive Lineman Eric Mac Lain Hopes to Make NFL Dream Come True

It's not often a star offensive lineman from a major college program coming off a national title appearance flies under the NFL draft radar, but that's exactly where you'll find Clemson's Eric Mac Lain.

Despite helping anchor a unit that paved the way for one of the most prolific offenses in college football last season, Mac Lain is widely regarded as a late-round pick or potential undrafted free agent. A first-team All-ACC pick in 2015, Mac Lain brings plenty of potential to the table, along with the coachable approach NFL teams should love.

A converted tight end with plenty of athleticism and strength, Mac Lain made a seamless transition deeper into the trenches, where he found plenty of success and is ready to prove he can do the same in the NFL.

Growing up in a military family—Eric's dad, Michael, serves in the United States Air Force—learned plenty about the value of a strong work ethic. He carried that onto the football field, where he became a highly sought-after recruit at tight end.

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Despite interest from several major programs, Mac Lain knew Clemson was home.

"As soon as you walk on campus, you can feel it," Mac Lain says. "You just get that feeling that you're right at home. I just really felt the opportunity to help change the culture of a place that had kind of gotten away from expecting to win ACC championships, expecting to be in the big bowl games."

It wasn't just the atmosphere that drew Mac Lain in, but his fellow incoming teammates.

"The guys we had coming in like Stephone Anthony, Grady Jarrett...guys who were already there like Tajh Boyd, Dwayne Allen...I thought that with these guys, we could really have a huge impact and make a culture change, and I think we did it."

Mac Lain likely had his heart set on being the next Jimmy Graham, but after injuries depleted the Tigers offensive line, the idea crossed his mind to possibly switch positions. After talking it over with his roommates—both offensive linemen—and his coaches, the decision was made.

Mac Lain gained over 60 pounds in one offseason to help facilitate the position change, and his presence helped give Clemson some much-needed depth up front. After seeing limited playing time as a reserve in 2013 and 2014, he became a valuable starter as a senior, helping the Tigers to a conference title and a playoff run.

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Mac Lain's experience with a parent in the military helped shape his approach to life, both on and off the field.

"The things that we had to deal with, with my dad being deployed or just doing the things he needed to do, it just made us stronger as a family," Mac Lain says. "When your family is kind of separated in that way, it can either bring out a lot of strength or a lot of weakness, and it brought us together. The respect and other things that come with being in a military family, learning to treat people as you want to be treated. Growing up on a military base, you learn a lot about organization, and that prepared me for college."

"Just watching my dad go to work every day, fighting for the freedom of our country, inspired me to go out and work hard every single day."

The scouting knocks on Mac Lain are mostly directed at his technique, which is to be expected considering his late transition to the position. But Mac Lain sees that as a positive as he looks to transition to the pro level, along with his proven track record of durability.

"I have zero injuries," Mac Lain says. "I have nothing that's holding me back. I just feel like I'm a raw piece of material for coaches to instruct, to make whatever they want."

At 6'4", 313 pounds, Mac Lain has a pro-ready frame and plenty of traits that coaches and personnel executives should find attractive. Jamie Newberg of CBS Sports sees the potential for Mac Lain to develop into a great value pick for an NFL team down the road:

"

What you can't see with Mac Lain are his outstanding leadership skills both on and off the field and certainly in the locker room and practice fields. He is well liked and highly respected by his coaches and teammates. Puts in the work and then some, and is a teacher to the younger players.

Good athlete still learning how to play on the offensive line. Can be physical, has good feet and is highly intelligent.

...

Mac Lain is a good developmental prospect. Just think how far he has come already - he's a great worker and even better leader. For some team that is really looking ahead and has a season or two to develop Mac Lain, they could certainly get a return on their investment.

"

While Mac Lain may lack quantity when it comes to playing time as a starter, he makes up for with the quality of work he's put in against top competition. The draft's deepest position group this year is interior defensive linemen, and Mac Lain faced off against some of this year's best prospects. His thoughts?

On Louisville's Sheldon Rankins:

"He was a guy who was really versatile. They'd put him at nose guard, three-technique, defensive end, and he was a big-time stunt guy. Wherever he was, we had to look for some kind of stunt coming from that way. Very active with his hands. A lot of guys give away a lot with their tendencies, the way they line up, a different stance here and there...Sheldon was a guy who made it really hard to find that. He's just a beast."

On Alabama's A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed:

"Those two guys were probably the best tandem of linemen I've ever gone up against in my college career. A'Shawn is just an incredible athlete...I tried to cut-block him twice, and he just jumped over me like it was no problem. I think they're both going to impact their teams immediately."

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Mac Lain may not be the most flashy or dominant blocker in this draft, but he brings a combination of physical tools, intangibles and upside that should allow him to develop into a valuable asset at the next level. He's got some quality film against some of the top programs in the country, no red flags, and he's eager to get to work and do anything for the NFL team that takes a chance on him.

What's an NFL general manager getting when he drafts Mac Lain?

"You're getting a guy that has the ability to learn and grow. I've got a lot of room for coaches to teach me the things that they want me to do, to learn the scheme they have in place. I think I'll be able to instantly boost the locker room with my leadership ability. I look forward to working with veterans and learning from them. My work ethic. I'm just looking forward to getting with a group of guys and building a winning program."

All quotes obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted.

Luke Easterling is a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft for Bleacher Report. He also covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Scout. Follow him on Twitter @LukeEasterling.