NFL Draft Profile - James O'Hagan

The NFL draft is coming up quickly and you may have a chance to see three or four Bulls get their name called this year. Among other places you can watch this years NFL draft on ESPN+.

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The big offensive attention grabbers this season were Anthony Johnson and Tyree Jackson, but in front of them, making the whole thing work, was James O’Hagan.

O’Hagan was a solid four your starter at center who’s tenure saw a year of year improvement on the offensive side of the ball.

O’Hagan came to Buffalo rather than take up several college wrestling scholarships and after using a red shirt in 2014 went on to start 50 straight games for the Bulls. Not just as the leader of the offensive line but one of the key voices that set the tone for the entire team.

Every season after his 2015 debut O’Hagans name was on the preseason Rimington Trophy watch list which is is awarded to the player considered to be the best center in college football.

Last season he helps not only protect Tyree Jackson but also anchored a line that helped two freshmen running backs explode onto the scene in the Mid American Conference. UB’s running game was a key component that helped set up defense for Tyree Jackson’s long ball.

Why should you want your NFL team to go after O’Hagan

Over his last two seasons at Buffalo James O’Hagan allowed just four pressures. In 2018 only gave up two hurries. The last time He allowed a QB was near the end of 2016, his Sophomore seasons.

He finished first in pass-blocking efficiency in 2017 and in 2016 among draft-eligible centers and Pro Football focus named him the best pass protecting center in this years draft coming into last season.

Pro Football Focus also named him one of the top three run blocking linemen by grade earlier this month.

He ranked second behind Benzschawel in run-blocking grade at 88.3 in 2018, and his 17.59% positively-graded run-block percentage ranked third among qualifying FBS centers. - PFF

He’s athletic and has the size for the position. He’s also very durable, having never missed a game at Buffalo.

Despite all of this O’Hagan has been flying under the radar, so he could be a great late round pickup if a team wants some depth at center.

What might you worry about with O’Hagan:

O’Hagan has put up great numbers, and has even performed well when the Bulls play power five teams. At the same time the Bulk of his work has come against mid major programs.

Against some of the better programs UB has played O’Hagan has had a tenancy to not put away his blocks and has from time to time gotten stood up a bit as a play wears on.

Projection

It’s probably most likely that O’Hagan doesn’t get drafted, but you can’t convince me its an impossibility, and James has been a favorite among the Bull Run editors his whole time in Buffalo.

If he’s not taken late, then he will get quite a few calls from teams right after the draft ends.

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