| April 24, 2005 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 06:15 PM |
Justin GeisingerA model of consistency, Geisinger has been one of the few bright spots for the Commodores' program since arriving on campus as a freshman. This massive road grader is one of the finest trap blockers in the country. He knows how to use his size and aggressive nature to engulf defensive linemen who dare to challenge him in the trenches.
Regarded as the school's finest prospect on the offensive line since the days of Will Wolford (1982-85), Geisinger brings a love for the game, a strong desire to succeed and stellar leadership ability to this young team. He is one of the strongest players on the college gridiron, boasting several team records in the weight room, including a 600-pound bench press, 43 repetitions of the 225-pound bench press, 650-pound squat and 1,600-pound total weight (bench/squat/clear).
Geisinger has started every game (43) he has played in for the Commodores, including a string of 26 consecutive games, before being sidelined for several contests due to injury in 2003.
The two-time team captain is a devastating run blocker, but also shows great technique in protecting the quarterback's blind side from the blitz and pass rush. Even for a player of his size, he does an excellent job of staying low in his stance and exploding off the snap to immediately gain leverage.
Positives: Has a massive frame with a thick chest, wide waist and hips, big bubble, thick legs and good leg drive … Collegiate tackle who could shift to guard at the pro level to take advantage of his trap-blocking ability and strength … Enforcer-type who does a good job of staying low in his pads, coming off the snap with arms properly extended to get under the defender's jersey … Tenacious drive blocker who works hard to stay with his blocks … Keeps his feet wide to maintain balance in pass protection, showing the ability to wall off and pull for the ground game … While lacking sustained speed, he does well in the short area to generate the quickness to get to the edge to cut off the linebackers, showing true aggression in run support … Shows good hip snap and roll to effectively seal off the edge rush … One thing you quickly notice about his game is he flashes aggression blocking in-line and delivers a hand punch into the defender's chest consistently … Has made strides in improving his foot agility in order to get to the drop point in his pass protection … Knows how to use his upper-body power to push off the defender and then use his hands to sustain and gain leverage … His ability to remain focused when anchoring down gives him the ability to quickly recover vs. the stunts … Adequate incline blocker, thanks to proper hand technique and punch.
Negatives: Slow-footed type who has trouble containing the speed rushers … Lacks agility on the move, appearing stiff in his hips … Limited by short arm length … Shows good playing strength, but struggles with lateral movement and the speed rush … Limited when working in space, as he cannot redirect and recover when beaten … Shows effort and signs of a stong hand punch, but is very stiff and un-athletic getting his hands up into a defender's chest … Could possibly be moved inside, but needs to develop better change-of-direction skills and foot speed.
Suffered a right ankle/fibular break (syndesmosis) vs. Kentucky in 2001; sat out the final two games vs. Tennessee and Mississippi … Suffered a hamstring strain in the 2003 Florida game, but did not miss any playing time … Suffered a left knee medial collateral Grade 2 sprain vs. Mississippi in 2004; sat out the Mississippi State and Navy games.
CAMPUS: 5.43 in the 40-yard dash … 600-pound bench press … 650-pound back squat … 350-pound power clean … Bench presses 225 pounds 43 times (all weight results are school records) … 26½-inch vertical jump … Right-handed.
COMBINE: 5.37 in the 40-yard dash … 3.12 20-yard dash … 1.86 10-yard dash … 4.62 20-yard shuttle … 7.87 three-cone drill … 25-inch vertical jump … 7-foot-11 broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 34 times … 32¾-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands.
Attended Mount Lebanon (Pittsburgh, Pa.) High, playing football for coach Chris Haering … Earned second-team all-state honors as a senior, leading the team to an 11-2 record and the state quarterfinals … Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22" and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" squads … Was the starting left tackle for the Pennsylvania team in the "Big 33" Classic … Also selected all-district and all-conference … Played on the baseball team that won the 1998 Western Pennsylvania Championship … Member of National Honor Society and high honor roll with a 4.0 grade-point average.
Human and Organizational Development major, working toward a pre-medicine degree in the College of Arts and Science … Two-time Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient … Assisted Washington Redskins linebacker Lavar Arrington with a Pittsburgh-area high school camp last summer … Regularly visits with young patients at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital … Volunteers at the Nashville Humane Society … Son of Joanne and David Geisinger … Father was a swimmer at Penn State University … Only sibling, Jessica, is a sales manager for Hyatt Chicago … Born May 24, 1982 … Resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.
