After months of fretting a free fall, Jack Mewhort’s angst was misplaced.
The All-American left tackle was drafted in the second round, 59th overall, by the Indianapolis Colts. But what position he plays in the NFL remains a mystery. What is known is he becomes a protector of prized quarterback Andrew Luck.
“They picked me as an offensive lineman," Mewhort said. “I'm the type of guy you can point me in the direction and I'll go play it. I'm not sure I've got a specific position pegged down. But I'm confident I can excel at different ones along the offensive line.”
| Year | Pos | Player | Round | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | OT | Jack Mewhort | 2 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2013 | OT | Reid Fragel | 7 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2012 | OT | Mike Adams | 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2008 | OT | Kirk Barton | 7 | Chicago Bears |
| 2006 | OG | Rob Sims | 4 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2006 | C | Nick Mangold | 1 | New York Jets |
| 2004 | OT | Shane Olivea | 7 | San Diego Chargers |
| 2004 | OG | Adrien Clark | 7 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2004 | C | Alex Stepanovich | 4 | Arizona Cardinals |
Mewhort, along with Ryan Shazier, Bradley Roby and Carlos Hyde, form a group of Buckeyes that all went in the top 60 picks of the draft, just the third time in the past 15 years Ohio State's accomplished that feat.
Mewhort’s versatility is what sent him surging up draft boards. He can play all five positions on the offensive line. At Ohio State, he started games at left tackle and both guard positions. He was an All-American center in high school at Toledo St. John’s.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano likes what he sees in Mewhort, “He's a dang good player. He's big. He's smart. He loves football. He fits our environment. What I love, he's got nasty. He's tough. You have to have that on the offensive line.”
During the Urban Meyer era, Mewhort developed into a valued team leader, on par with Tim Tebow and John Simon, according to the head coach.
“He’s got self-discipline, self-respect, and work ethic,” Meyer said. “He’s a guy that’s tough as nails. Everything you’d want in a leader.”
Ohio State's had an offensive lineman taken in the past three drafts and 10 in the past 10 years. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1967, the Buckeyes have had 40 offensive linemen drafted.
“What I love, he's got nasty. He's tough.”– Chuck Pagano
Mewhort anchored one of the nation’s top offensive lines, helping Ohio State set numerous offensive records in 2013: points scored (637), total yards (7,167), rushing yards (4,321), passing touchdowns (38) and total touchdowns (83).
Said offensive line coach Ed Warinner: “Everyone says, ‘I want to be like that guy.’”
Mewhort was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and second-team Walter Camp All-American.
