Cal Bears NFL Draft Profile: Offensive Lineman Jordan Rigsbee

After four years as a starter at Cal at four different offensive line positions, Jordan Rigsbee is set to take on the next challenge in his career.

As the 2016 NFL Draft approaches, Golden Gate Sports will profile some of the California Golden Bears’ potential draft picks. Everyone knows about quarterback Jared Goff, who declared for the draft a year early and will almost certainly be one of the first few players off the board when the 81st annual draft kicks off on April 28th. But the Bears, who finished 8-5 this past season and beat Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, have other intriguing prospects. The sixth profiled here is offensive lineman Jordan Rigsbee.

Rigsbee has always been versatile and athletic for a man his size, starting at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California. In his prep days, Rigsbee played four seasons of varsity football for the Vikings, and also spent time on the basketball court. Coming out of high school, he was given four stars as a recruit, and followed his brother, Tyler Rigsbee’s footsteps by joining the Cal Bears.

After a redshirt season for the Bears in 2011, the younger Rigsbee brother became a mainstay on the offensive line. Over the course of his four seasons, Rigsbee started all 49 possible games at four different positions. In his freshman season, Rigsbee was the team’s main left guard, making all 12 starts next to his brother Tyler, who played left tackle. In 2013, Rigsbee started the year at left guard again, but after four starts there moved to center to cover an injury to incumbent center Chris Adcock.

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In 2014, Rigsbee moved again, this time to the right side of the offensive line where he played tackle. That year he was part of an offense, led by Goff, that broke school records for total offense per game, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. The next season, Rigsbee found himself in his fourth different starting spot, making 13 starts at right guard. The offense again set single-season school records for total offense, passing yards, and passing scores.

On an offensive line that deservedly took its fair share of criticism last season, Rigsbee was the team’s most consistent blocker. He had his issues with pass blocking at times, but he was a very strong run blocker, leading the way for an offense that totaled 152.8 rush yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry, both the most by the Bears since Rigsbee’s freshman season in 2012. Rigsbee experienced his most success as a pulling guard on an outside run, or as a lead blocker on screen passes. His most powerful block came on a running back screen, creating room for Tre Watson to go 45 yards to the endzone.

Rigsbee also acted as a snap caller for portions of the season, when away crowds were too loud and the offensive line couldn’t hear Goff’s cadence. Rigsbee would look back at Goff, and when the snap was called, the right guard would tap center Dominic Granado to get the ball out.

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If Rigsbee is to make it in the NFL, his footwork would need some polishing, especially in the passing game. He had a tendency to get pushed backwards last season, creating pressure right in Goff’s face as he attempted to get the ball out. His pad level also got much too high at times, adding to the issue.

Rigsbee does have just about the right size for an NFL guard, standing at 6’5″ and weighing 305 pounds. An offensive lineman with athleticism, like Rigsbee possesses, makes for an intriguing prospect to teams at the next level, especially when they have extended experience at multiple positions. Rigsbee won’t be one of the first lineman taken in the draft, but he should find a home late in the draft, or as an undrafted free agent.

Next: Cal Bears Draft Profile: WR/KR Trevor Davis

With proper coaching, Rigsbee could be very helpful to an NFL team a few years down the road.

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