Prospect Watch: Ronald Blair

Last year around this time, the bucs fell in love with a player from Hobart college, who went on to have a pretty good rookie season with the bucs. That guy is starting right guard Ali Marpet, who put on a show at last years combine and went on to become Jason Licht's favorite player out of that entire draft class. Now heading into this years draft, there could be another small school guy that Jason Licht has his eyes on, and that is Appalachian St. De Ronald Blair.

Blair at 6'2 284 uses his long arms to easily hold up his opponent to stop the run, or swim by them to get to the quarterback. He is strong at the point of attack, and has great motor never giving up on the play. He is still raw in his pass rush technique, but shows promise in that area and has a decent power rush to build from. His former defensive line coach Mark Ivey had high praise for Blair and thinks the sky is the limit for him, per theappalachianonline.com.

“He is absolutely explosive and he is as strong as you are going to get for that position,” Ivey said. “He’s got size, speed and good football savvy on the field. When he is off the field he is always focusing on film study, knowledge of the defense, asking questions, and his leadership ability is fantastic.”

Blair is easily becoming one of the favorites in this draft class, and is starting to rise up team draft boards. He showed off that strength today with 32 bench press reps of 225lbs at the scouting combine, and which didn't surprise draft analyst Dane Bugler whom I respect his opinion very highly.

DE Ronald Blair with 32 reps on the bench not much of a surprise. Plays strong and bullies with his upper body. #DraftCrush

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 27, 2016

Blair could easily be a day 2 pick now, and will have all eyes on him tomorrow at the combine for his on field workouts in Indy. This guy could be the next small school steal for Jason Licht and his staff. bucs fans keep an eye on Ronald Blair, I think his name is going to be talked about a lot as we get closer to the draft.