Samuels leads a load of large linemen

Adalius Thomas, an All-America defensive end from Southern Mississippi, is expected to be chosen high in the second round of this weekend's NFL draft.

And he knows a little something about offensive linemen. In fact, Thomas already has proclaimed who will be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.

He is Chris Samuels, the University of Alabama's first Outland Trophy winner.

''He's the best I've ever faced,'' Thomas said.

For the record, Tide tailback Shawn Alexander ran for more yards last season than any other running back in the long and storied history of Alabama football.

Many of those yards came off Samuels' hip.

''He's the best offensive lineman I've coached in 21 years in the profession,'' Alabama offensive line coach Neil Callaway said. ''His combination of size and athletic ability is rare.''

At 6-feet-5 and 322 pounds, Samuels is a load.

He's also a gamer.

He redshirted his first year at Alabama.

The next season, he started the last seven games.

He hasn't missed a start since.

The best offensive tackle in a draft in which a half-dozen tackles are expected to be taken in the first two rounds, Samuels started 42 consecutive games for the Tide.

He's big, strong and athletic, and he runs the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds.

The only dent in Samuels' armor came when he left the final game of his college career because of a knee injury.

But even that hasn't caused anyone to jump off the bandwagon.

''He didn't play in the Senior Bowl (in his hometown of Mobile, Ala.) because of the injury,'' said one college scout. ''But if his knee checks out, he'll be taken in the first 10 picks.''

Talk is, he'll go higher than that.

The Washington Redskins have the third pick, and they've shown a lot of interest.

So has Cincinnati at No. 4.

But then, every team make that every team with a franchise quarterback wants Samuels at left tackle, whose job is to protect the quarterback's blind side.

In his senior season at Alabama, Samuels didn't allow a sack.

The Tide had 887 offensive snaps last season. Samuels recorded 91 knockdown blocks.

When postseason awards were announced, Samuels was everywhere.

He was a first-team selection on three All-America teams. He won the Outland Trophy as the best college lineman.

He explodes off the ball and has a strong pop on run blocking. He can pass block on the slide. He might have to bulk up a little, but even on the lighter side of the scale, he is enough of a natural athlete to become an immediate impact player.

And though Samuels has drawn the highest marks from every talent evaluator, the best praise has come from those who know Alabama football tradition.

Samuels has been compared most times on an even basis with former 'Bama star John Hannah.

All Hannah did was play 13 years in the NFL and was elected into the NFL Hall of Fame.

SCOUTING THE DRAFT: OFFENSIVE LINE

Rank.... Player .... College.... Ht..... Wt.

1..... Chris Samuels .... Alabama.... 6-5.... 322....

Comment: Left tackle won't let anybody near QB's blind side.

2..... Chris McIntosh .... Wisconsin .... 6-6.... 315....

Comment: A four-year starter at left tackle but might be better suited for right side.

3..... Stockar McDougle .... Oklahoma .... 6-5 .... 351....

Comment: A prototype tackle who dominated during Senior Bowl.

4..... Todd Wade .... Mississippi .... 6-7.... 325....

Comment: Surprisingly mobile for his size.

5..... Cosey Coleman .... Tennessee.... 6-4.... 322....

Comment: Also could play right tackle.

Position overview: There isn't much depth, but teams' needs will force some linemen to go higher than they should.

Teams in need: Redskins, Falcons, Cowboys, Lions, Rams, Jaguars, Steelers, Browns, Chiefs, Jets, Patriots.

Sleeper: Leander Jordan, Indiana (Pa.). The 6-4, 330-pounder follows in the footsteps of Jim Haslett and Chris Villarrial.

Most overrated: Coleman.

Did you know? Samuels missed the 2000 Orange Bowl to undergo arthroscopic surgery on a knee.

Steve Trivett writes for the Denver Rocky Mountain News.