Cameron Fleming, Offensive Tackle
Alter ego: “The Rocket Scientist.” No joke, Fleming is actually a rocket scientist. The Aeronautics and Astronautics major will graduate this spring.
CBSSports.com projection: 2nd/3rd round
Cardinal career: Fleming jumped into a starting role on the offensive line as early as his sophomore year, when he was one of three first-year starters along with David Yankey and Sam Schwartzstein. Despite an injury that limited him to 11 games, Fleming received All-Pac-12 honorable mention and helped lead the way up front as the Card averaged 210.6 rushing yards per game, good for 18th in the nation.
As a junior, Fleming was again named All-Pac-12 honorable mention, starting all 14 games at right tackle during the Card’s Rose Bowl-winning season. Then during his senior year, Fleming anchored the right side of a veteran offensive line that started four seniors and finished seventh in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed. He was also named to the All-Pac-12 second team. Throughout his final two years at Stanford, Fleming paved the way for both Stepfan Taylor’s 1,530 rushing yards, which rank third in school history, and Tyler Gaffney’s 1,709 rushing yards, which rank second in school history.
Pro stock: The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman possesses the big frame and powerful blocking skills to be an NFL tackle for many years to come. At the combine, Fleming ranked sixth among offensive tackles with 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He won’t be outmuscled by any defensive lineman and excels in run blocking. In order to further complete his game, Fleming will look to improve in pass blocking against speed rushers on the outside, something which he will see more of in the NFL. He has nonetheless been shooting up draft boards since he declared for the NFL Draft and will potentially be the first former Cardinal athlete taken in the draft.
Highlight: Fleming had highlights both on and off the field throughout his Cardinal career, including an appearance on a College GameDay feature about the “Revenge of the Nerds.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H41PllYuHtw#t=59
On the field, Fleming demolished the purportedly strong front seven of Arizona State in Stanford’s early-season victory.
Contact Michael Peterson at mrpeters ‘at’ stanford.edu.