Bryan Bulaga Foregoes Senior Season, Will Enter NFL Draft
by Patrick Vint on Jan 6, 2010 9:34 PM CST
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So long, white whale
According to multiple sources on Twitter, including ESPN's Joe Schad and the entire Gazette crew, Iowa junior offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga will skip his senior year and enter the 2010 NFL Draft. In the wake of last night's Orange Bowl victory, Bulaga told reporters he would announce his decision by the end of the week. Apparently it only took another 24 hours.
Bulaga was the rare Iowa lineman to play as a true freshman, stepping in at guard during the infamous 2007 LOLffensive line season. In 2008, he took over as starting left tackle, and the rest was history. Bulaga was dominant as a sophomore, and was widely considered the best offensive lineman in the Big Ten entering the recently-completed campaign. He was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder in September, missing three games. He struggled somewhat upon returning, and only returned to his usual self late in the season. With that said, he's long been touted as a first-round NFL draft pick, and his performance in the Orange Bowl -- particularly in paving the way for Brandon Wegher as Iowa drained the clock in the fourth quarter -- was his most impressive of the season. In the wake of last night's game, this decision is not a surprise.
Riley Reiff, who played left tackle in Bulaga's absence, is set to assume that position next fall; though he may be the best player on Iowa's squad not named Clayborn, Bulaga's early departure is also the only one with a well-defined line of succession. He will certainly be missed, but it's not a crippling blow to 2010. Like everyone else, we wish Bulaga the best of luck at the next level.
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Ahhhh bummer
was my reaction. Not surprised, not disappointed or anything like that, not mad at him, but just …. it’s a bummer (for the program short-term, for the fans. Good for him, and good for the program long term assuming he succeeds.)
Hate to see it happen
but how can you blame any of them. Bust your ass for one more year (a year that comes off the end of your NFL career), risking serious injury, or go get yourself some millions.
Best of luck, Mr. Bulaga.
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
Damn
Almost beat you to it with the fan-post
What does this mean for the O-line?
by ChrisHarrell's_stache05 on Jan 6, 2010 9:42 PM CST reply actions
It's not good
but we lose studs every year. Greene, King, Gallery, Greenway, Banks, Dwight, Long (the list goes on) and they get replaced. Then we hate when the replacement stud leaves.
Bad is when you lose your whole damn starting line.
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
It means Rieff and Vandervelde
are the only returning starters coming back next year. Spring and summer ball should be interesting to say the least.
I believe Gettis also started a couple of games
by the_iowa_hawkeye on Jan 7, 2010 8:24 AM CST up reply actions
He started the UNI game.
It didn’t go so well.
But hope springs eternal.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Yep
Can’t blame him. Good luck, and I can’t wait to see him at the next level.
I assume Spievey announces soon
It never gets to be easy
Poop
But I’ve been thinking since the end of the Big Ten season that he was gone. Good luck and do us proud.
"I know you're from Middle America, and sometimes you feel like you're representing more than just a school or a conference, maybe an entire group of American citizens out there."
by Twin Cities Hawk on Jan 6, 2010 9:51 PM CST reply actions
And I was just starting to call
him “the Whale.”
Good luck dude!
Go kick some ass at the next level!
"Wow. You know you have problems when even the cheerleaders know you suck." ~ Pain in the Sash
If he only knew.......
If BB only knew he has the rest of his life to work and become a millionaire but only one more year to lounge around Iowa City and enjoy all of that young college poon………. Some day he will look back with regret.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning...it smells like victory -- Bill Kilgore
Sam Bradford
Wants to tell you about regret
by HeartOfHawkness on Jan 6, 2010 11:23 PM CST up reply actions
Good for him
I will miss him, but this was the right decision for him, and I think he’ll be a great pro.
I have to say if there’s one area about next year’s team I’m worried about, it’s the line. With he and Richardson gone, we’re only bringing back two starters. Gettis will probably slide into the other guard spot. He saw a little time, which is good, but is still something of an unknown quality. Center seems to be a toss-up between Ferentz and Koeppel, both of whom haven’t played. And who the hell knows what happens at RT. It’s going to be interested to see how that shakes out, it’d be a shame if an inexperienced line tanks what should otherwise be a very talented offensive unit coming back.
My fear
is we have the same issues as PSU this year
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jan 6, 2010 10:03 PM CST up reply actions
Ha!
Was just licking my lips thinking the same thing. 3 dudes gone and one switching places? Now, hopefully one of the new guys gets in a little doghouse trouble, synchronicity is slow to develop…
6/8ths of our Dline is back, collapsing pockets for next gen LBU, backed up by young, lockdown corners and experienced safeties. We’ll lick our Tuscaloosa wounds with Temple & Kent State and come into Iowa City as huge dogs to the undefeated (top 5?) Orange Bowl champions. Oh yeah, October 1 could be real fun.
(now, we’ll just get to work on our little quarterback issue these next couple months.)
"We just forgot our pants. Nothing against the team or anything like that." -- take a guess
Real, real fun.
But I have a bad feeling that these people are going to lose to Iowa State and ruin our dreams of a top 5 upset.
Joe knows bowl games.
by ReadingRambler on Jan 7, 2010 1:44 PM CST up reply actions
Keep waiting
Jewel Hamptons got something for your “next crop of LBU” Please, we’ll be breaking in the line while breaking your backs again. After Bama beats you down the next week you’ll be looking up to Indiana……Yikes! KF knows a little about teaching, keep those happy thoughts in happy valley. Get off the fucking bandwagon already. Go Hawks!
i don't wife em...i one night em
by smokinthereiff on Jan 7, 2010 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
The views expressed
by smokinthereiff do not represent those held by all members of this board.
I have no problem with Penn State finishing 2nd in the Big Ten every year.
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
Your stickin up for this clown?
Show some colors. I agree he has been gracious and a nice addition to BHGP, but at the end of the day he’s still the enemy. Treat him as such when he reminds us that he’s a wolf in sheeps cloths. We stick up for Hawks, everyone one else is just visiting. Go Hawks
i don't wife em...i one night em
by smokinthereiff on Jan 7, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
The fact that Stanzi will be
with his 3rd center in 3 years makes what AMERICANZI has accomplished to this point that much more impressive.
Not worried
Judging by how we combated adversity this year with the way we were rotating people through the O-Line at the beginning of the season, we should be able to overcome the losses. Of course, I may just still be on my “Iowa high” after being at the game last night.
They took the bar, the whole fucking bar!
by recoveringfratguy on Jan 6, 2010 10:35 PM CST up reply actions
Ferentz is
From what I’ve heard from inside sources, twice the athlete his brother was, and MUCH more physical. Betting he’s the starting center for the next few years.
Clearly
This just means we’re a lock to land Seantreal Henderson beacuse it means he’ll get a chance to play right away. Right? Right?
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
I was thinking that very same thing.
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Jan 7, 2010 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
I guess it's time for Reiffer Madness
I will keep saying it until it sticks…
by Great taste, Les Jepsen on Jan 6, 2010 10:09 PM CST reply actions
I would expect that comment
from Smokin Herb Grigsby
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jan 6, 2010 10:55 PM CST up reply actions
Or
smokinthereiff
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Jan 7, 2010 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
i like your stylin
i don't wife em...i one night em
by smokinthereiff on Jan 7, 2010 4:40 PM CST up reply actions
Well this wasn't unexpected.
He dominated (for most of the game at least) against a fellow presumed top 15 pick in Derrick Morgan, and also made athletic blocks downfield, all but yelling out loud “I’m ready for the next fuckin’ level, dudes”.
/O'keefe'd
by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Jan 6, 2010 10:40 PM CST reply actions
how about
smokinthereiff. I’m a witty one sometimes. Good luck Boogs.
i don't wife em...i one night em
The guy wants to go to the NFL,
who can stop him? Besides, its why Ferentz gets the big bucks. He’ll know what to do.
It sucks
But Reiff’s play this year showed me that we could afford to lose Bulaga more than AC or AS……REALLY hope AS stays.
by HeartOfHawkness on Jan 6, 2010 11:27 PM CST reply actions
Does this have any effect
on Seantrel Henderson’s decision? Does Iowa have a shot at this kid? Could he step in right away if they landed him?
Well
It doesn’t hurt (if Bulaga stays, there’s no hope of PT at tackle; if he goes at least there is a shot), but probably not; technically, yes, realistically, not really; maybe. We have a gaping need at tackle. True freshmen don’t usually start at tackle (Bulaga started at guard as a true frosh and Reiff was a redshirt freshman this year), but if he’s as good as advertised, he might have as good a shot as anyone else in the mix.
But, realistically, the odds of him picking Iowa are ridiculously slim. I wouldn’t bother holding out too much hope.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
We actually already have a couple really good tackles in this class
Donnal in particular is a great prospect, and I like Scherff a lot (great athlete for a tackle).
It’s kinda sad that so many people (not you, Ross, but lots of people) seem to ignore them because they’re still clinging to the Henderson pipe dream. We’ve done a pretty nice job with offensive line recruiting the last couple years, I think.
Yeah.
If he shockingly choose Iowa — awesome. But I like the guys already committed and the guys already on the team. For instance, have we forgotten about the Brothers M(a)cMillan?*
Especially this guy**:
- OK, not actually brothers - but still.
*— OK, so technically he’s kind of a project. SO BIG.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Ok, I need a favor
anytime you hear an NFL GM mention Bulaga, say “Robert Gallery” over and over. Bulaga needs to last into the late 20s/early 30s
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
Well, yeah but still
And who knows how he would have turned out at tackle if he played for an even remotely competent organization and hadn’t gone through like 15 offensive line coaches in first few years.
Anyway, right now it’s looking like Bulaga will probably go somewhere in the late teens early 20s, but the Orange Bowl probably helped his stock and tackles pretty much always rise in the draft, so we’ll see.
The staggering incompetence of the Raiders organization is definitely a culprit in his disappointment.
But I also question whether or not he had the footwork to keep up at the NFL level. And there’s no shame in being a good NFL guard… they just don’t pay you #2 pick in the draft money for that, obviously.
Bulaga would be the first first-round draft pick from Iowa since Gallery, wouldn’t he? I figure he’ll go in the teens somewhere unless some really falls in love with him.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
D'oh.
I thought I was forgetting someone. He’s been a really good pro.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Yeah he has been
He was bad his first year back from the knee injury, but that’s understandable. Since then he’s been one of the better OLBs in the NFC.
I remember at the time, when Gallery went to Oakland, my reaction was NOOOOOOOOOOO. Same when Long went to Detroit. Some pro football organizations should go into forced sale/relocations.
You can take the Raiders
when you pry them from Al Davis’s cold, dead fingers! Wait, isn’t he already dead? Then you must first shoot zombie Al Davis in the head, THEN you can pry the braaaaaainsRaiders from him
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
I am really worried about our OL next season, but not LT. Reiff is gonna be fine there
the real problem is that this means we will have one more greenhorn starter on the OL. We are very young, we didn’t sign very many linemen between 2006-2009 and those we did sign weren’t that highly rated (w/exception of Bulaga who was a 4* recruit). This could spell trouble for our offense next season and it is the main reason why I think all this B10 title/NC talk for next season is just a pipe-dream.
Had Greene stayed, this year would have been our year for a run at the NC.
Hmm.
those we did sign weren’t that highly rated (w/exception of Bulaga who was a 4* recruit)
I really don’t worry about star ratings with offensive linemen, especially the ones Iowa recruits. Ferentz & Co. have developed far too many excellent linemen that came in with middling credentials to worry too much about that. The lack of experience is a concern, particularly at center. Hopefully Koeppel and Ferentz have been paying attention in practice.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
I wonder what genius made Ferentz and Reiff roommates?
I think we’re lucky nothing worse happened.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
The line will be fine
no great drop off at center no matter who we go with there. Our right side will be either a “star emerges” plus Zusevics/Haganman I would guess. I mean, Reiff had not played at all at the college level and was suddenly the best dude we have. As long as Ricky’s back side is covered Ferentz will figure it out from there.
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
Best of Luck!
And thanks for the amazing years he put in with Iowa. Go make a shit-ton of money in the NFL, no one can blame you for that. Your stock really wouldn’t get much higher after the last drive in the Orange Bowl. Just remember the Hawkeye program and become a serious booster with a checkbook.
"Well of course, there's nothing better than being American!!!" - Ricky Americanzi, Jan. 5th, 2010
by The Bacon Explosion on Jan 7, 2010 7:29 AM CST reply actions
As well as talking us up
with the press and recruits
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jan 7, 2010 7:32 AM CST up reply actions
Have you guys seen the Mark Morehouse interview of Reiff after the OB?
my god, that is amazing. The kid killed me and I am now zeroed in on him as the next great Hawkeye character. Below is a link ot the video. To me, his demeanor is a cross between a thief who the police just asked to have a word with him, and ubber Iowa humility. The opening moment when Morehouse has asked to interview him, he apparently spits out his snuff and it’s just…well, watch it. I love this kid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PteekQzQ4c
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
Look at his collar...
He looks like part of the American Revolution…
Is this your homework? We know this is your homework.
Here's an email I got from a friend a few weeks ago
I went out Friday night and the entire football team was at the bar. I’m never that impressed with the size of any of them…until I saw riley effing reiff. Holy crap. I wasn’t expecting that. Absolute monster. Bye bye bulaga.
This comes from a guy who is 6’2" 250ish. While I don’t exactly share his sentiments since size isn’t everything (ISU), I still thought it was interesting.
(this is also the guy I sent the pubechecks to)
No self-respecting man from Iowa goes anywhere without beer
by Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride on Jan 7, 2010 9:40 AM CST reply actions
I encountered
a bunch of players in the 90’s. The lineman tend to stick out because they’re pretty beefy, but the rest of them just look like guys who work out. I remember seeing two lineman at a party once, carrying a full keg through a crowded room. They each had one of the handles and they just lifted the thing up and moved it over and around people like it was empty. That’s over 150lbs.
Of course none of the underage players were drinking. And I’m sure it was just pure coincidence that so many players had identical Honda motor scooters back around 92 – 93. Or that the one parking lot over by Slater/Reinow was a student lot but the only students who ever won the “permit lottery” were athletes. And that none of the cars in the lot were student style beaters. That was just all coincidence.
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
Good luck Mr. Bulaga
Thanks for the memories and the dominant play! Bummer losing him and Dace deciding to go pro, not that I can say I disagree with either decision. Hope he, and Dace, have long, profitable careers in the NFL.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Now for something completely different.
Someone, more talented than I, just has to fabricate a pie or bar chart of some the more interesting OB stats and post same on FTRS.
All in good fun of course.
by Stay thirsty, my friends. on Jan 7, 2010 1:54 PM CST reply actions
What do you consider
the more interesting stats? And who would you like to compare?
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
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