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Gentle Giant Looks to Follow Former Teammates
By Raj Sagar, Athletics Media Relations
Last year, his best friend was chosen as the 15th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Every day in practice, he competed against a consensus All-American and the second overall selection. When he came in as a wide-eyed freshman, he trained with and learned from the fourth overall pick in 2006.
Going into his senior season at Virginia everyone seems to agree Eugene Monroe has a good chance of following in the footsteps of his former Cavalier teammates.
Monroe’s talent and ability came to fruition last year when he did not allow a sack during the entire regular season. After he spent much of his first two years with Virginia as a solid contributor, Monroe was a huge force last season.
“Gene really finished at a high level last year and it looks like he’s already beyond that level,” Virginia head coach Al Groh said. “He had an awesome summer and it’s looking right now like he can have a season comparable to any of those who preceded him.”
For Monroe, those who preceded him happen to be some of his closest friends. Former Virginia left guard Branden Albert was selected 15th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs last year. Both Albert and Monroe came to Virginia in 2004 and quickly developed a strong friendship. Playing alongside each other, Monroe and Albert anchored the left side of a stout Virginia offensive line.
“I still talk to Branden three or four times a week,” Monroe said. “Every week we try to catch each other’s games on TV, but we talk about stuff outside of football too. He has been like a brother to me and is very important in my maturation as a player. He was a great player here, and I just want to learn as much as possible from him.”
Monroe has had plenty of players to look up to during his time at Virginia. Coming into his freshman year, Monroe was able to watch and learn from D’ Brickashaw Ferguson, who was selected fourth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Backing up Ferguson for the majority of the year, Monroe got playing time during field goals and extra points. Taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from an All-American, Monroe studied Ferguson’s technique and strived to duplicate his effort in the weight room.
“When I came in, D’Brickashaw was a great role model for me,” Monroe said. “He was the guy that set the tone in the locker room and really established an expectation of dedication from everyone. I wanted to try and copy some of the things he was doing and I hoped to have some of the success he has had.”
Playing behind Ferguson was just part of an eye-opening introduction to college football for Monroe.
“Freshman year was an incredible learning experience,” Monroe said. “It was a shock initially, but I feel like I had great people around me to help me adjust. The preparation that goes into college football from week to week is nothing like it was in high school.”
After his sophomore season was hampered because of an injury, Monroe was really able to hit full stride after spending the offseason prior to his junior year competing day in, day out against Chris Long, who was the No. 2 selection by the St. Louis Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft.
“Playing against a competitor like Chris every day in practice was really a privilege, and undoubtedly aided my development as a player,” Monroe said. “When he beat me we would try to figure out together why I got beat, and then I would do what was necessary to correct it. Chris was always looking to help the team, and I was the main beneficiary of that.”
While most teammates and opponents would agree that, although Monroe’s stature is rather intimidating, the big man himself is better described as a gentle giant. Monroe disputes that he is altogether quiet however.
“I have heard people say that in the past, but I think it’s mostly that I am laid back,” Monroe said with a laugh. “I try to hide that on the field, but for the most part I am an easy-going guy more than a quiet guy.”
While he is constantly coined as quiet, soft spoken and laid back, Monroe chooses to lead by example.
“Off the field, Eugene is an extremely quiet guy,” sophomore quarterback Marc Verica said. “When the pads go on, it’s a different story. He unleashes a quiet aggression that really fires up the whole team. Everyone is able to feed off the energy he brings. He is the kind of guy that sets the tone with his actions and how he approaches the game.”
At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, Monroe has all the physical tools to succeed at the next level. A rare combination of size and quickness, Monroe already has been recognized by pundits around the country as a player who will succeed at the next level. Prominent ESPN draft expert scout Mel Kiper Jr. recently released his rankings of collegiate upperclassmen Monroe was number one.
“Monroe has the feet you look for in a pro-style pass blocking left tackle,” Kiper said. “He gets movement at the point in run blocking situations, and also gets high grades in the consistency department.”
As far back as high school, college coaches and NFL scouts alike all agreed that Monroe’s size and athleticism would take him to the next level. Following his senior season at Plainfield High School, rivals.com had Monroe ranked as the third-best player in the country. Additionally he was the consensus top offensive tackle in the nation and a Parade All-American.
Coming out of high school in Plainfield, N.J., Monroe received offers from numerous powerhouses such as Oklahoma, Miami (Fla.), and Florida State, as well as a number of other notable top programs in the country. Nearly all college coaches agreed that Monroe had what it takes to make it to the next level.
“He was the most perfect looking guy coming out of high school,” Southern California head coach Pete Carroll said. “He was a great athlete, a good student and was full grown a long time ago. He is a beautiful athlete who is a No. 1 pick all the way. He is exactly what you look for as a pass protector at left tackle. He is really a great player.”
If things continue the way they are for Eugene Monroe, he, like his former Cavalier friends, has a bright future to look forward to on Sundays.