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Player Name: Sebastian Tretola
H/W: 6'4 314
Position: Guard
School / Class: Arkansas / RS Senior
Measureables: 5.40 40, 22 bench reps, 23.5" vertical, 7'6" broad jump, 7.94 3 cone drill
The Tape:
Pros:
- Footwork - Tretola mirrors his defender very well even at his size against lighter and quicker opposition. Rarely wastes steps in keeping the defender at bay in the box. Keeps his feet choppy (sometimes to a detriment) in order to balance himself when in pass protect. Run game footwork is very good as he leans on his leg strength to drive defenders off the point of attack. Lateral movement skills are underrated. Knows when to lock into place and when to kick slide like a tackle.
- Frame - He's one of the guys that you want to step off the bus first to intimidate the opponent. A massive mountain of a man at 6'4 314. Actually lost weight at Arkansas in order to gain some agility and quickness to his game. Very adept at using his frame to swallow up defenders. When he gets in range, it's usually game. set. match. Base and anchor are above average. A very guard like frame that will do well very well in power run/pass schemes.
- Instincts / Football IQ - Experienced in the weekly wars called the SEC. Knows most of the different tricks that defenders will use in the trenches. Identifies the assignment rapidly and adjusts his hand usage and footwork accordingly. Another plus is that he doesn't quit after neutralizing his first defender, constantly searches for other projects to take on at the second level.
- Character / Work Ethic - Tretola initially had a rough start to his college career by being removed from the University of Nevada for academic "indifference" but seemingly has righted the ship after transferring to Arkansas from the JUCO ranks. Worked hard to lose close to 50 pounds to get in shape for the Razorbacks. He's a mean and nasty player on the field but a consummate teammate off it as coaches and teammates can't say a bad thing about him. High motor player that won't quit until the echo of the final whistle. He worked himself into a four star recruit at junior college after being a lightly recruited HS senior.
Cons:
- Athleticism - Let's just say that he won't be mistaken for Usain Bolt any time soon. While he does solid work at the second level, it's a chore getting there. Limited to being a phone booth type of lineman that will struggle mightily if he is asked to do anything else. He looked totally and utterly lost as a pull blocker when Arkansas called for him to do it (not that often but still). Tretola maintains good footwork while in the box but it's a convoluted mess when he strays outside of the box. A short strider who just gets a little "grabby" at times, leading to holding calls down the road.
Additional notes
Arkansas has had some major beef up front on their offensive lines ever since Bret Bielema's arrival from Wisconsin. He's adopted the classic Wisconsin OL mantra of bigger is better. The Razorbacks' OL probably weighed as much as a small car at some points. While studying up on Tretola over the entire process, I've noticed how horrible Brandon Allen was as his QB. Also my sympathies go out to Alex Collins as he was pretty much Derrick Henry in terms of insane workload but smaller. Tretola has some experience at tackle (played the position in JUCO). Garnered multiple All-SEC and All-American team honors during his senior year. Also won the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy (given out to the top blocker in both SEC and ACC). In 1,501 snaps over the course of 2014 and 2015, he committed only FIVE penalties and allowed just ONE sack. (h/t to Arkansas football website bio).
Final Summary
Yes, I wholeheartedly support this pick for the Titans. Tretola fits what Mike Mularkey wants out of his OL perfectly as a road grading guard type. It's painfully obvious that he has his athletic limitations but as a pure in the phone booth type of guard, you can't go wrong. He will likely compete for the starting left guard job and possibly win it due to the lackluster depth chart ahead of him. He's a perfect complement to Taylor Lewan as his comedic buddy and fellow linemate. However, sitting and learning the system could also be beneficial as he gets used to the rigors of NFL life i.e.strength and conditioning. I also had him mocked to the Titans in several mock drafts. Tretola is a steal in the sixth round as he was projected to go in the fourth by many people.
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