Big Ten Football Top 150 Players: No. 111, Brandon Vitabile, Northwestern C

No. 111: Brandon Vitabile, No. 66, C, Northwestern 

2011 Stats: 13 starts at center

 

Strengths

In 2011, Brandon Vitabile was expected to be a key backup at center for Northwestern for four-year starter Ben Burkett, who came into the season as one of the top centers in the conference. By Week 1, Vitabile had established himself as the starting center, and Burkett was moved to right guard.

Vitabile's effectiveness is immediately evident. He rarely gets beaten off the ball, it's extremely difficult to disengage from his blocks and he's got a nasty side that comes out every time he finishes a block just a little too late. That's a strength, not a weakness. He's also an Academic All-Big Ten player. I know, a smart center? At Northwestern? Crazy.

 

Weaknesses

For as much credit as Vitabile gets and deserves for being a relentless blocker, even the friendliest highlight reels of Northwestern plays don't show much of Vitabile absolutely blowing his guy off the ball. Some of that comes from taking care of the snap first, to be sure, but he's much more likely to redirect a rusher away from the point of attack than just straight push that point ahead a yard or two.

 

2012 Prediction

Northwestern was extremely lucky to have all five of its starting linemen healthy and in the same places for all 13 games last season. Three are back, including Vitabile. Having that kind of consistency is ideal for the 'Cats (and any other college football team), but usually luck successfully conspires against it, and it usually has a deleterious effect on production and line cohesion.

If Northwestern's line health takes a step back toward normality in 2012, we might perceive a somewhat worse year from Vitabile when really he's likely to be an even better player this year than last.

He's on the Rimington Watch List (as are most returning starting centers), but if he stays healthy, the Rimington folks might be keeping a closer eye on him at the end of the season when he's a junior or senior. Probably not this year, as he doesn't have the hype that voters usually respond to most, but he should be pretty good.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1221467-big-ten-football-top-150-players-no-111-brandon-vitabile-northwestern-c

Reegie Corona Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson