NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn

by Michael Abromowitz, 4/13/07. Ben Grubbs is a popular name being talked about at the water cooler, primarily in Baltimore and Chicago. This Auburn Tiger is the best pure guard in this year’s draft, and will be able to make an immediate impact for whichever team drafts him. Grubbs is very athletic with great quickness for a guard. He actually played defensive tackle and tight end for the Tigers before moving to guard. Just to show his athleticism: Grubbs rushed for 130 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns his senior season in high school and also played power forward for the basketball team.

What is your accurate height, weight and forty time?
Ben Grubbs: 6’3, 315, 5.01

Describe your game in three words or less.
Ben Grubbs: Exciting and tenacious

What do you feel is your greatest strength as a football player and what area do you feel you need to improve in?
Ben Grubbs: I think my greatest strength is my explosiveness. One thing that I can improve on is definitely my technique and fundamentals.

What NFL player do you do you think you compare favorably to?
Ben Grubbs: Alan Faneca

Who is the best player you have faced during your career?
Ben Grubbs: Kyle Williams from LSU

What is your greatest football moment to date?
Ben Grubbs: Beating Virginia Tech for the Sugar Bowl title.

Did you have a favorite pro team growing up? Favorite player?
Ben Grubbs: Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys.

When you get your first professional paycheck what is the first thing you will buy?
Ben Grubbs: I will pay off my mom’s bills.

How have you been preparing and training since the end of your college season?
Ben Grubbs: I’ve trained with Chip Smith at Competitive Edge as well as Kelly at WPI for my pre draft preparation.

Do you have any goals in mind when it comes to the NFL Draft?
Ben Grubbs: I would like to be the first offensive guard taken in the draft.

What is the one thing you will most miss at college?
Ben Grubbs: I will miss being around my teammates and coaches.

Where is the best place to get a bite to eat in Auburn?
Ben Grubbs: A place called Creole Shack, really good seafood.

What was your favorite college course and why?
Ben Grubbs: My favorite course was Law and Society because I was very interested in learning about all of the laws that we as a society have to live by.

What have former college teammates now in the NFL told you about preparing for the league?
Ben Grubbs: They’ve told me to continuing working hard. Don’t stop doing the thing that has gotten me to this point.

Any pregame rituals? Food? Music?
Ben Grubbs: No not really, I do enjoy listening to my ipod before games.

What is something football fans may not know about you?
Ben Grubbs: That I once played the trombone in the sixth grade band.

Do you read mock drafts or what draft experts have to say?
Ben Grubbs: I try not to get caught up in the mock drafts. The things that I know about the different drafts I hear form other people.

What NFL teams have shown the most interest in you?
Ben Grubbs: I would say that majority of the teams have similar interest in me. For what it is worth I took visits to Dallas, Tampa, Washington and the NY Jets.

What do you plan to do once your playing career is over?
Ben Grubbs: I would love to start my own business with my brother.