Pitt NFL draft bio: Jeff Otah

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, January 28, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Pittsburgh Panthers
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Jeff Otah is still learning how to play football. And that's what intrigues a lot of NFL scouts.

A two-year starter at left tackle for Pitt, Otah was born to Nigerian parents and was initially more interested in basketball than football at William Penn High School in New Castle, Del. He is, after all, 6-foot-6.

But as Otah's girth became even more impressive than his altitude, he realized that his long-term athletic career was in this curious American sport played with helmets and padding. Although he only played three games (on defense) as a William Penn senior, he blossomed as an offensive lineman at Valley Forge Military Academy and is now considered a first- or second-round prospect in the NFL draft this spring.

Despite being listed at 340 pounds, Otah has retained the quick feet that served him well on the basketball court. He won't be running down any NFL backs from behind (he does a 5.35 40), but he has showed himself to be explosive off the ball in run blocking.

As for pass protection, Otah faced two highly touted quarterback killers this past season -- Chris Long of Virginia and George Selvie of South Florida -- and held both without a sack.
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