Doug Datish Bio

Doug Datish fits the mold of recent Ohio State offensive linemen who have entered the NFL -- versatile, strong and aggressive. The consummate team player, Datish has played every position on the OSU front wall during his career. With situational substitution a major factor in the pros, having an athlete with the ability to play a variety of positions and even handle deep-snapping duties is a high priority that will make Datish an inviting prospect on draft day.

His father, Mike Datish, played for the Buckeyes in 1975 when OSU posted an 11-1 record and went to a still-unprecedented fourth consecutive Rose Bowl.

Doug is not only a solid performer on the field, but also excels in the classroom. He received his degree in history at the end of the 2005-06 Winter Quarter and is currently attending graduate school.

On the football field, he stepped in at center for graduated Nick Mangold, a first-round pick of the New York Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft, and more than capably filled those big shoes. For his career, Datish started 35 of 41 games, starting 14 times at center, at left tackle in 12 games and at left guard in nine others.

Datish was considered one of the top linemen in the nation as a senior at Howland High School. He earned first-team All-Ohio honors as a senior and was a standout on offense and defense. He was selected as The Associated Press Division II Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

SuperPrep rated him the fifth-best offensive lineman in the country and he earned PrepStar Dream Team honors. Datish also played basketball as a freshman, but concentrated on football his last three years.

In 2002, Datish enrolled at Ohio State, spending the season performing on the scout team as an offensive guard. He appeared briefly in four games at right guard in 2003. Hard work in preseason camp helped him earn a starting job at left guard in 2005, where he started nine games. He also started at center for an injured Mangold against Michigan State.

In 2005, Datish switched positions with Rob Sims, taking over left-tackle duties while Sims shifted inside to left guard. Datish moved again in 2006, taking over at center when Mangold went to the NFL. He provided stellar pass protection in the pivot, helping quarterback Troy Smith win the Heisman Trophy. Despite his third move in three years, Datish did not allow any quarterback sacks or pressures in 2006, and was awarded with All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors.

COMPARES TO: Brad Meester -- Jacksonville ... Like Meester, Datish's versatility will see him get drafted higher than his draft stock indicates. He has good short-area quickness and nimble feet, but must learn to shoot his hands with a stronger punch and improve his lower-body strength to maintain position vs. stunts. At the Senior Bowl practices, he was having trouble vs. strength moves, which is to be expected due to his lower-body power issues. But he also struggled to pick up the quick stunts.

AGILITY TESTS: Campus: 5.15 in the 40-yard dash. ... 340-pound bench press. ... 330-pound power clean. ... 27-inch vertical jump. ... 31 3/3-inch arm length. ... 9-inch hands. ... Right-handed.