Texas A&M offensive lineman Germain Ifedi has the versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level, and knows the challenges that lie ahead at either spot.
Germain Ifedi spent just one season at guard for Texas A&M, earning Freshman All-American Honors protecting Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
And though his services were needed at right tackle for the next two seasons, many feel Ifedi could be moving back inside as an interior lineman in the National Football League.
Ifedi says he doesn't mind where he lines up on Sundays.
"I like both positions," he told reporters at the NFL Combine. "I play both positions and I think I've excelled at both positions. I don't prefer either one. Wherever they want me to play, I'll play and enjoy it."
At 6 foot 6, 324 pounds, "Ifedi's build screams 'NFL offensive lineman,'" according to his NFL.com draft profile. He uses that length and some nice foot quickness "to open recovery doors that might slam on other linemen.
"Flashes hip explosion to torque defenders out of the hole as a run blocker," the profile reads. "Has body control and change of direction talent to be a successful second level blocker."
Ifedi, who has been tabbed by many experts to be a late-first round or early-second round pick in this week's NFL Draft, says he's confident that wherever he lands, his team will be getting a solid professional.
"Just the player I am, the football intelligence, the aggressiveness and nastiness I play with, the versatility I bring to the field," he said when asked why he feels he could be a first-round pick. "A lot of things you want in an offensive lineman, I think I bring to the table: the leadership aspect, everything you want I think I bring to the table. I believe they'll believe the same thing."
But the Houston native knows nothing is simply handed to a prospect in the NFL. A second-team All-SEC selection in 2015, Ifedi has 37 starts under his belt in the toughest conference college football has to offer, but producing as a pro is a whole different story.
"You have to be willing to put in the time and effort, especially as a rookie, twice or three times as much as a veteran does," he said. "They know the tricks of the trade. You come in and try to learn a new offense and a lot of times a new position. If you're thrown into the fire you have to be ready. Everybody has their rookie growing pains."
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