ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Glenn Parker: ASU’s Westerman will surprise many at NFL Combine

Feb 24, 2016, 9:39 AM | Updated: 10:36 am

Arizona State offensive lineman Christian Westerman (55) warms up before an NCAA college football g...

Arizona State offensive lineman Christian Westerman (55) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

(AP Photo/Young Kwak)

LISTEN: Glenn Parker, Pac-12 Network football analyst

Indianapolis is once again the central hub for football.

The players headlining the 2016 NFL Combine include California quarterback Jared Goff, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa, UCLA outside linebacker Myles Jack and North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz.

Pac-12 analyst Glenn Parker however thinks a former Sun Devil will be mentioned in high esteem once the combine gets underway.

“I love the left guard at ASU. I think that kid, Christian Westerman, is as talented as any,” Parker told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday morning. “He is good in pass protection and solid in the run game. He’s really good at keeping his hips next to the center, and I like him in space. I think that’s a kid that might move up the boards more than people think.”

Westerman is a two-time All Pac-12 honoree, including being named to the All Pac-12 Second Team in 2015. The guard appeared on Bruce Feldman’s Top 25 ‘Freaks’ list in college football of 2015 due to his ferocity in the weight room.

“When I watch Westerman, I see the prototypical guard,” Parker said. “I think some people might think he is undersized, but he’s thick, he’s long trunked, so he’s got shorter legs which means he bends better and he plays with better leverage. He’s arms are good, I like the kid. I saw him in training camp, and I thought he’s the real deal. That kid can get it done.”

Westerman will be among the first group of prospects in Indianapolis from Feb. 23-Feb.26.

“The average fan doesn’t have a clue who he is, and I think that guy is going to bust in the ranks and people are going to go ‘wow, this is a stud’.”

Arizona State Football

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Vincent DeAngelis

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham addressed quarterback Jaden Rashada's injury, revamped roster and NIL ahead of start of spring ball

6 days ago

Jaden Rashada on the football field...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Jaden Rashada dealing with thumb injury, will miss spring ball

ASU's Jaden Rashada won't be a full participant in spring ball due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand suffered earlier in the year.

7 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

12 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

13 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

14 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

18 days ago

Glenn Parker: ASU’s Westerman will surprise many at NFL Combine