Ben Ijalana Prominent on NFL Radar

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Villanova lineman Ijalana prominent on NFL radar
By Keith Pompey
Inquirer Staff Writer

Just the thought of being in a select fraternity brought a smile to Ben Ijalana's face.

Earlier this month, the Villanova left tackle rattled off the names of three former Rancocas Valley High products who played in the NFL.

"Alonzo Spellman, Franco Harris, and Irving Fryar," said Ijalana, a 2007 Rancocas Valley graduate. "Those are all greats."

If everything goes as planned, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound senior's name may be added to that list.

Ijalana is listed by NFLDraftScout.com as the second-best senior prospect at guard for the 2011 NFL draft, behind Florida State's Rodney Hudson.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said most NFL teams give the Wildcat a third-round grade.

"He's barely 6-foot-4, but he's got long arms," said Mayock, who think Ijalana is suited to play left tackle in the NFL. "He's got real good feet. And in a pass-first league, he's the kind of tackle teams are looking for."

He's also the kind of player Villanova will have a tough time replacing.

Ijalana, 21, is the only Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) player named to the Outland Trophy watch list. The award is given annually to the nation's top interior lineman.

The four-year starter is also a preseason candidate for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the best player in the FCS. Ijalana also was named to several FCS all-American teams.

"He's an unbelievable player," Villanova quarterback Chris Whitney said. "It's awesome to have him as my left tackle, my back blindside tackle. It just helps our offense so much having him."

Ijalana says he didn't know much about football until the age of 14. Before then, Ijalana, who has Nigerian-born parents, was a central defender in youth soccer.

"You know, I just eventually got too big for soccer," he said.

So as a freshman at Willingboro High, he tried out for the Chimeras' football team.

"I was soft," Ijalana said. "It was definitely different, just the mentality, coming from a low-contact sport. Football was definitely a shock."

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