The Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Castonzo as their first-round draft pick, No. 22 overall.
Castonzo brings quite an academic record to Indianapolis, in addition to his obvious talents on the field. His intellect should help him adapt quickly to the Colts’ offensive scheme.
Castonzo is a biochemistry major at Boston College, and was nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship. He was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and earned the Scanlan Award from Boston College as the senior athlete who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Those weren’t the primary reasons the Colts selected the 6-foot-7, 305-pound left tackle, (the second best tackle in the draft, according to Mel Kiper) but they helped. Castonzo believes his intellect will serve him well as he makes the adjustment from the NCAA to the NFL.
It takes a lot of work and determination to understand and follow Peyton Manning’s offense, but Castonzo appears to have the credentials to do so.
Many young players go through the “thinking” phase, when they have to process what they see on the field before reacting, and seem to be a step behind the action. The quicker a player moves beyond that and becomes more instinctive, reacting naturally and automatically without having to think things though, the sooner he can set about achieving his true potential. Manning’s no-huddle offense will bring out the true potential of Castonzo.
When Castonzo arrived at Boston College he was far from an NFL prospect. Weighing in at 247 pounds as a freshman, he didn’t exactly intimidate defensive linemen.
But he had excellent footwork and blocking technique and as he bulked up he gradually became an intimidating force. He was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection who allowed only two sacks in 1,470 plays his last two seasons, a very impressive feat.
He was a highly prized prospect, but the Colts did not expect him to be on the draft board when they selected their first-round pick. None of their pre-draft situations had Castonzo slipping to No. 22.
But, since four of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks, other players were pushed down the board and Castonzo was very welcomed in Indianapolis.
Anthony Castonzo is already penciled in as the starter at left tackle and is now one of Peyton Manning’s workhorses.
