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- Mar 19, 2019
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2. Elgton Jenkins left an indelible impact on Mississippi State's O-line.
Darryl Williams was scrolling through Twitter when the Mississippi State senior center's thumb froze on a video clip of his mentor, Elgton Jenkins, blocking All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly and two others backward this past November.
Williams had seen those types of heroics from the Packers rookie guard plenty of times while together in Starkville, but this was different. Jenkins was putting three men simultaneously on skates.
"I was clearly shocked," said Williams, who later texted Jenkins about the play. "I was like, 'Man, how did you do it?' He was like, 'You gotta have feet in that league.' He's been a joy to watch. I think he's going to continue to kill that league and I can't wait to be a part of it with him."
While the individual play was stunning, neither Williams nor fellow Mississippi State draft prospect Tyre Phillips was surprised to witness Jenkins' instant success with the Packers.
A starter in 16 of his 18 games as a rookie (including playoffs), Jenkins was the first Packers offensive lineman to be named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team since Corey Linsley in 2014.
Phillips, a left tackle, didn't play alongside Jenkins every down like Williams but he also sings his former teammate's praises. Phillips spoke before the combine with the Packers' starting left guard, who gave him one word of advice.
"Dominate," Phillips said. "That's what I'm here to do."
Jenkins' graduation resulted in Williams sliding from left guard to the center spot Jenkins vacated when he was drafted by Green Bay in the second round last April.
Williams said he spoke to Jenkins "on a daily basis" for tips on the position and best practices for making calls at the line of scrimmage. In two months' time, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman hopes to join his friend in the NFL.
"(He's) a guy who knows the game and taught me the ropes," Williams said. "He taught me how to become a great offensive lineman and become a smart offensive lineman, as well. I enjoyed my time with him."
3. The city of Fond du Lac has Robert Windsor's back.
The Penn State defensive lineman's direct messages have been filling up all week with well-wishes from friends and family in Fond du Lac, Wis.
Windsor was born in Green Bay and spent a few years in De Pere before his family moved one hour south. A three-star recruit out of Fond du Lac High School, the 6-4, 285-pound defensive tackle committed to play for the Nittany Lions, with whom he racked up 121 tackles, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles to put himself on NFL scouts' radar.
And he has plenty of hometown fans cheering him on.
"It was something really special for me, especially people from my town," said Windsor, whose father Richard also attended Penn State. "I think I was the first athlete out of my school (in a long time) to play at a big school like this. It was kind of cool to pave the road because now we have another guy, a four-star safety (Braelon Allen) coming up who already has an offer from Notre Dame. … It's kind of cool to represent the town."
4. Unique shakes have Ben Bartch on the verge of history.
Bartch came to St. John's (Minn.) University as a 230-pound tight end without any scholarship offers. He left as a 6-foot-5, 308-pound offensive lineman destined for the NFL.
While working towards a degree in psychology, Bartch also picked up a job as a local high school strength and conditioning coach. Needing to put on weight and often short on time, Bartch began concocting a unique, and unsettling, protein shake.
"I would scramble seven eggs, a big tub of cottage cheese, quick grits, then peanut butter and banana and Gatorade," Bartch said. "I would throw it all in and plug my nose. I'd gag sometimes, but that's what you have to do."
Bartch performed that routine five days a week prior to his junior year. By the summer, he'd jumped from 250 pounds to 275. By the start of the season, he weighed more than 300.
Bartch still maintained his agility and athleticism in spite of the weight. Thanks to a stellar career at St. John's and a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, Bartch is close to becoming the first St. John's alumnus to be drafted in 53 years.
Coincidentally, the school's most recognizable football figure happens to be Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback Johnny "Blood" McNally, who played seven seasons with the Packers.
"It's a great honor. I'm very humbled about it," Bartch said. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be here, to be honest. If I can bring some pride and some honor back to St. John's and represent them well, I'm all for it."