Big Board ranking: #75
Positional ranking: #4
Overview
Position: C
College: Michigan
Class: Junior
Age: 20
Measurables
Height: 6’2 3/4″
Weight: 307 lbs.
Arm length: 33 1/8”
Hand size: 11”
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 5.08 sec.
Vertical jump: 33.0”
Broad jump: 113.0”
Bench press: 28 reps
3-cone drill: 7.91 sec.
Short shuttle: 4.64 sec.
Strengths
Tremendous zone blocker. Compact anchor with thick lower half. Ideal overall technique and body control. Great overall awareness and intelligence. Very impressive athleticism for his size/build. Hands are big and strong. Can seal a defender and drive him to the ground. Easily engages linebackers at the second level. Plus acceleration as a puller. Sees the entire field when on the move and will quickly adjust to make a block. Smooth transition from block to block. Keeps his pad level low and gets quality drive. Plays with great balance and patience. Eyes are quick scanning the field in pass protection. Keeps a square stance and stays prepared to strike. Good moving his feet as a pass blocker.
Weaknesses
Will be pushed back by power/length. More of a turner than mover at the point of attack. Could add more upper body strength. Struggled a bit in final game against Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis.
NFL comparison
Alex Mack
Conclusion
Overall, Ruiz plays with excellent balance, awareness, and athleticism for a center of his build, and his best fit will likely come as the anchor for a zone-blocking scheme. In a strong Day 2 class at the position, Ruiz has a case to be the first center off the board.
Dolphins
They need a center