Seumalo Will Compete But Late Graduation Could Hurt Progress

The Eagles have a hole along their offensive line at left guard. The thinking is Isaac Seumalo, a third-round draft pick, can come in and challenge for the job. There's just one hurdle the rookie needs to clear first.

Seumalo has to go back to school.

Under NFL rules, collegiate players must complete the academic year before joining their teams. And since Seumalo's Oregon State operates under a quarter system as opposed to semesters, commencement doesn't occur until June 11, about one month later than most universities.

That means when this weekend's rookie minicamp wraps, Seumalo will be banished from all Eagles workouts and practices for the next four weeks -- valuable time for a young athlete embarking on a new career in professional football.

"It sucks, but I want to make it a positive and just work my butt off," said Seumalo. "Whatever playbook access I have, I'll obsess over it and just deal with the hand that I'm dealt with and do my best."

Just how critical are these dates Seumalo will miss? It depends on the player.

The most well-known, recent examples on the Eagles roster are tight end Zach Ertz and safety Ed Reynolds, both out of Stanford. Ertz -- a second-round choice in 2013 -- contributed right away, totaling 36 receptions, 469 and four touchdowns, although perhaps not as much as he might have otherwise. Reynolds on the other hand -- selected in the fifth round one year later -- spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

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For what it's worth, Eagles offensive lineman Josh Andrews thinks Seumalo will handle the time away just fine. Previously a teammate at Oregon State, Andrews went through the same thing as an undrafted rookie in 2014.

"He'll be good," said Andrews. "He's doing his minicamp right now, so he's gonna get the basics, and he's gonna go back and do the drills.

"By the time he comes back, he'll be alright."

Seumalo has shown a knack for catching on quickly in the past, earning an All-Pac-12 honorable mention at center as a true freshman. Obviously, the NFL is a different animal, but the 22-year-old seems to have the right mindset and approach for the task at hand.

"The first thing you've gotta do is know the playbook inside and out," said Seumalo. "[Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland] isn't gonna play guys that don't know what they're doing. Once I've learned that and I'm able to play fast on the field and not really think about stuff, then I'll have a chance."

Of course, there's another potential impediment on Seumalo's path to the top of the depth chart. While he lined up at four of the five spots along the offensive line in college, the one position that's missing from the 6'3", 303-pounder's resume happens to be left guard.

The Eagles are not lacking in competition, either. The incumbent, Allen Barbre, started 16 games in 2015. The club signed sixth-year veteran Stefan Wisniewski in free agency. Andrew Gardner, who played right guard for parts of the past two seasons, returns from injury. There's a whole host of prospects on the roster, including Andrews.

Although if Seumalo doesn't beat out the pack, that's actually okay with him. He'll give it his all, but refuses to put himself ahead of the team.

"I'm sure in [Coach Stoutland's] mind, the five best are gonna play, and if it's me, it's me, and if it's not, I'll play my role, but I'm gonna come and compete for sure.

"I want to play, but I also want the team to win."

Despite the time he'll miss and inexperience at left guard, Seumalo still has a good chance to come out on top. After all, it's only football, a game at which he has always excelled.

"At the end of the day, I know I play with four other guys on the line and 10 other guys on offense. Pretty sure the lines are all the same, you still score touchdowns and field goals. The football stuff is the same, you just have to be grown up about it."

Take it from somebody who knows him well and seen him play firsthand, a teammate who would argue the Eagles are fortunate to have Seumalo -- whether he's ready to start right away or not.

"Isaac could've went anywhere [in the draft]," said Andrews "He can play all five positions, he's a good football player. I feel like all 32 teams wanted him."

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