Spencer Drango

Last updated

Spencer Drango
Spencer Drango.jpg
Drango with the Cleveland Browns in 2017
No. 66, 74
Position: Offensive guard / tackle
Personal information
Born: (1992-10-15) October 15, 1992 (age 31)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school: Cedar Park
(Cedar Park, Texas)
College: Baylor (2011–2015)
NFL draft: 2016  / Round: 5 / Pick: 168
Career history
Career highlights and awards
College
Career NFL statistics
Games played:32
Games started:19
Player stats at PFR

Spencer Joseph Drango (born October 15, 1992) is a former American football offensive lineman. He played college football at Baylor. A Freshman All-American in 2012, Drango was considered one of the best offensive tackles in his class. [1] He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Contents

Early years

A native of Austin, Texas, Drango attended Cedar Park High School, where he was an All-State offensive lineman. As senior, he registered 144 knockdowns while not allowing a sack, helping Cedar Park to a 13–1 record and UIL quarterfinals, where they lost 21–20 to Michael Brewer's Austin Lake Travis. [2]

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Drango was listed as the No. 23 offensive tackle prospect in 2011. [3] He picked Baylor over offers from Arkansas, Louisiana State, Stanford, and Texas.

College career

After redshirting his initial year at Baylor, Drango took over from Cyril Richardson as starting left tackle for the Bears in 2012. He started all 13 games and was named Freshman All-American by Scout/FoxSports (first-team) and Phil Steele (second-team).

Midway through his sophomore season, Drango had back surgery for a ruptured disk, but Baylor athletic trainer Jacob Puente helped him recover so he could play football once again. [4] [5]

In his senior year, Drango had the highest pass-blocking efficiency in college football according to Pro Football Focus . He allowed only three quarterback hurries, and just a single quarterback hit—against Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah—all season, giving him a nation-leading 99.2 pass blocking efficiency. [6]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Coming out of college, Drango was projected to go anywhere from the fourth to the seventh round by NFL analysts. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him the 19th best guard in the 2016 NFL draft. [7] He played in the Senior Bowl and reportedly met with representatives from the Chicago Bears. [8] While teams were fond of his upper body strength, ability to play in space, quality pass protection technique, and his quality setup in pass sets many pegged him as an eventual NFL backup or low-end starter with sloppy hand placement during blocks with a predictable punch in pass protection. [9] He attended the NFL Scouting Combine and put up decent numbers in the positional drills and workouts. At Baylor's annual Pro Day, he decided to stand on his combine numbers and only participate in positional drills. 61 scouts and representatives, including Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, from all 32 NFL teams came to watch Drango, Corey Coleman, Shawn Oakman, Xavien Howard, Andrew Billings, and 11 other prospects workout. [10] Although Drango was a top 10 tackle at Baylor each of the past two seasons, almost all analysts pegged him as an offensive guard in the NFL. [7]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+5⁄8 in
(1.97 m)		315 lb
(143 kg)		33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		5.27 s1.85 s3.06 s4.66 s7.88 s8 ft 4 in
(2.54 m)		30 reps
All values from NFL Combine [9]

Cleveland Browns

Drango was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round (168th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft. [11] On May 13, he signed a four-year contract worth about $2.55 million, which included a signing bonus worth about $207,000. [12] Drango began training camp practicing at right guard but was immediately moved to right tackle and competed with rookie Shon Coleman for the backup right tackle position behind Austin Pasztor. He ended up winning the backup left tackle position behind Pro-bowl veteran Joe Thomas. [13]

On September 18, 2016, Drango earned his first career start against the Baltimore Ravens after the Browns decided to start him as an extra lineman to begin the game. On November 10, 2016, he started at right guard against the Ravens after Joel Bitonio was unable to play after suffering an injury. He started the next three games after winning the job over veteran Alvin Bailey. [14] Drango finished his rookie season by playing all 16 games with 9 starts.

On October 22, 2017, Browns starting left tackle Joe Thomas went down with a torn triceps injury after he had played 10,363 consecutive offensive snaps. The injury would require season-ending surgery. On October 23, 2017, Browns head coach Hue Jackson stated that Drango would start at left tackle in place of Thomas.

Drango was waived by the Browns on September 1, 2018. [15]

Los Angeles Chargers

On September 18, 2018, Drango was signed to the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers. [16] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on January 17, 2019. [17]

On August 31, 2019, Drango was waived by the Chargers and signed to the practice squad the next day. [18] [19] He was promoted to the active roster on November 18, 2019. [20]

Personal life

Drango was raised by his parents, Gary and Pamela Drango, in Austin, Texas. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and overcame dyslexia at a young age. Drango grew up in Austin, TX, attending Canyon Ridge Middle School, where he played football and basketball. He continued as a dual sport athlete in high school before choosing to play football at Baylor over Stanford. Drango graduated from Baylor in December 2014 with a degree in finance and has a brother named Brad that also graduated from Baylor. He has a passion for helping, both with his foundation for overcoming dyslexia, along with organizations that help wounded veterans. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and listening to country music and cites the MythBusters as his favorite TV show and Shooter as his favorite movie. [14]

Related Research Articles

Kelvin Garmon is a former American football offensive guard. He played college football at Baylor University and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Garmon was also a member of the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Greco</span> American football player (born 1985)

John Patrick Greco, Jr. is a former American football guard. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Toledo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Wood</span> American football player (born 1986)

Eric Wood is an American former professional football player who was a center for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Bills with the 28th overall pick. Wood played nine seasons in the NFL, including a Pro Bowl appearance, before retiring following the 2017 season due to a neck injury. Since 2019, he has been the color commentator and analyst on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Lang</span> American football player (born 1987)

Thomas John Lang is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Eastern Michigan Eagles and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft. Lang was a member of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and also played for the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Fluker</span> American football player (born 1991)

Danny Lee Jesus "D. J." Fluker is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama, where he was recognized as an All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Pouncey</span> American football player (born 1989)

James Michael Pouncey is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, was a member of a BCS National Championship team, and earned All-American honors. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, and also played for the Los Angeles Chargers. He is the twin brother of former NFL center Maurkice Pouncey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Miller (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Ryan Miller is a former American football offensive guard. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. Miller was considered one of the best offensive guards of his class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Taylor (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Phillip Eugene Taylor Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and Baylor Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Benjamin</span> American football player (born 1989)

Travis Benjamin is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at the University of Miami. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Cooper</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jonathan Javell Cooper is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals seventh overall in the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he earned All-American honors. He also spent time with the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Watford</span> American football player (born 1990)

Earl Watford is a former American football guard. He played college football at James Madison, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyril Richardson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Cyril Joseph Richardson is a former American football guard. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Baylor, where he was a unanimous All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Erving</span> American football player (born 1992)

Cameron Drew Erving is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Florida State and has played in the NFL for the Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vadal Alexander</span> American football player (born 1994)

Vadal Alexander is an American football guard for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at LSU. Alexander was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Conklin</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jonathan Jackson Conklin is an American football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Billings</span> American football player (born 1995)

Andrew Mitchell Billings is an American football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Baylor and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Feiler</span> American football player (born 1992)

Matt Feiler is an American football guard who is a free agent. He also played baseball in high school, but decided to play college football at Bloomsburg (PA) because he received better scholarship opportunities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shon Coleman</span> American football player (born 1991)

Shon Coleman is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Auburn.

Foster Dane Sarell is an American football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. He has also spent time with the New York Giants.

Zack Bailey is an American football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He later had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Football Team / Commanders.

References

  1. ↑ "cbssports: prospect rankings".
  2. ↑ "Lake Travis beats Cedar Park 21-20". Lake Travis View. December 4, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Injury bug strikes again: Baylor loses Spencer Drango, one of the team's best linemen, to back injury". Dallas Morning-News. November 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Drango's injury leaves more big shoes to fill". Waco Tribune. November 20, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Superlatives for the 2015 college football season". Pro Football Focus. December 9, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Spencer Drango, DS #19 OG, Baylor: 2016 NFL Draft". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  8. ↑ Lester Wiltfong Jr. (January 25, 2016). "Bears talk with Baylor offensive lineman Spencer Drango at Senior Bowl". windycitygridiron.com. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Spencer Drango". National Football League.
  10. ↑ "Football holds 2016 Pro Day". baylorbears.com. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  11. ↑ Labbe, Dan (April 30, 2016). "Cleveland Browns select Baylor guard Spencer Drango with pick No. 168 in the 2016 NFL Draft". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ Pokorny, Chris (May 14, 2016). "Cleveland Browns sign 5th round draft pick, OL Spencer Drango". DawgsByNature.com. Retrieved August 28, 2016; "Spencer Drango". OvertheCap.com. 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns depth chart". ourlads.com. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Cleveland Browns: Spencer Drango". Cleveland browns.com. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  15. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (September 1, 2018). "Browns announce 53-man roster". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  16. ↑ "Chargers sign offensive lineman to practice squad". Chargers Wire. USA Today. September 18, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Chargers sign OG Spencer Drango to futures contract". Chargers Wire. USA Today. January 17, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Chargers Announce Roster Moves". Chargers.com. August 31, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Chargers Announce Practice Squad". Chargers.com. September 1, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Chargers Promote G Spencer Drango to Active Roster". Chargers.com. November 18, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.