USC’s Matt Kalil is regarded by most analysts as the best tackle in this year’s NFL draft, and Kalil doesn’t hesitate to say he agrees with that assessment.
“I would definitely say I am the best tackle in the draft,” Kalil said Thursday.
That might sound arrogant, but Kalil believes it’s exactly what NFL teams want to hear.
“Confidence is definitely a big part of your game,” Kalil said. “I think they want to hear that you do think you’re the best tackle, and I think I am.”
The team that drafts Kalil will surely expect him to be a starter on offense from Day One, but Kalil said he also enjoys contributing on special teams. Kalil sealed USC’s win over Utah last season with a last-minute blocked field goal, and he said that’s one of his favorite parts of playing football.
“It was definitely something I wanted to do,” he said. “I volunteered for it. As an offensive lineman, you don’t get any fame. You’re not scoring touchdowns. So blocking a few field goals, that was more than enough for me. Especially at Utah, blocking a field goal to win the game, that’s probably the highlight of my college career.”
Blocking field goals would just be a bonus for the team that drafts Kalil. Blocking defensive ends is what’s likely to make him a Top 5 pick.