Rankings:
DraftCountdown.com: #16 center. Late round-free agent grade.
Scouts Inc.: #14 center. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.
Biography/Honors:
2013: (TSU) Started all 14 games at center.
2012: Transferred to Tennessee State and started all 11 games according to TSU website. Started 7 games at right guard.
2011: (JC): Started 11 games at guard.
2010: (Ellsworth CC [Iowa]): Started 11 games at right tackle.
Academics: Major not listed, but he earned his associate's degree at Ellsworth and finished his bachelor's at TSU in a year and a half.
Injuries:
None reported
Twitter handle: @Drhaney_65
Pro Day Results:
(2014 Combine averages for centers in parentheses)
(Not invited to NFL Combine)
40-yard dash: 4.96 (5.21 – no center at the Combine ran sub-5.0)
10-yard split: 1.75 (1.77)
Vertical jump: 29" (26" – Rhaney would have tied best jump by a center)
Broad jump: 9'0" (8'8" – Rhaney would have had 3rd-longest jump by a center)
3-cone drill: 7.59 (7.90 – only one center at Combine ran a faster time)
20-yard shuttle: 4.78 (4.62 – only one center at Combine ran a slower time)
Bench presses: 24 (27)
Scouting Report:
Compactly built and light on his feet. Good quickness and adequate bulk. Very good agility and balance. Good athlete at his position. A Combine invite would have made him some money. Starting experience all over the line. Gets into blocks quickly and plays to the whistle. Has good lower-body power and always keeps his feet moving. Can wall off and seal short areas. Efficient getting to the second level. Solid anchor in pass pro. Worked out for the Patriots, Colts, Dolphins, Panthers, Titans and Bucs. Overcame a lot to get where he is. Has the size, power and agility to eventually compete for a starting job.
A little undersized. Average athlete with average arm length. Misses some blocks while on the move. Compares to: Tim Barnes
Fun Facts:
Demetrius' grandmother always hoped he would go to college but passed away before he graduated high school. A scholarship offer fell through because Demetrius' first high school had closed and he couldn't get a copy of his transcript. A friend got him recommended at an Iowa junior college, but he didn't have airfare to get there until friends and family took up a collection and his grandfather pawned some of his late grandmother's jewelry. Full story
RamView:
Rhaney attracted a lot of late interest after a very good pro day and probably had a lot of free agency suitors had the Rams not drafted him. They waited longer to add another o-lineman with versatility than I thought they would, but though he may be doomed to be the most overlooked draft pick in NFL history going one pick behind Michael Sam, Rhaney fills the bill. Thumbs up.
Sources: NFL Draft 2014 Preview (Nolan Nawrocki), NFLDraftScout.com, DraftCountdown.com (Scott Wright), Scouts Inc., Yahoo! Sports, NFL.com, Tennessee State athletics, College2Pro.com, Ramview (Mike Franke)