Draft Pick: Billy Bajema
#249 Overall - Billy Bajema
Tight End - Oklahoma State
Height: 6-4 7/8 - Weight: 261
Overview
Bajema is not only a talented tight end, he is one of Oklahoma State's most decorated student-athletes in the classroom. On the field, Bajema performed capably at the tight end spot at which he had 37 career starts. In the classroom, he is a two-time Verizon Academic All-District selection and has been Academic All-Big Twelve Conference choice the past four seasons. He added ESPN Academic All-American accolades and was honored as a scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Bajema has a double major in General Business and Pre-Med, and carries a 3.7 grade point average. Bajema has been named to the President's Honor Roll four straight years and has been on the Big Twelve Commissioner's Honor Roll six times.
Bajema was a standout quarterback at Westmoore High School. During his senior season, he played on both sides of the ball, also seeing significant time at defensive end. He finished the season completing 69 of his 149 pass attempts for 845 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Both the Daily Oklahoman and the Tulsa World listed Bajema as an honorable mention all-state selection. He was also listed among the top 30 Oklahoma prospects by First Down Sports, and was selected to participate in the Oil Bowl. Bajema also competed as a member of the Jaguars' basketball and baseball teams.
Bajema saw action in eight games as a true freshman in 2001. He caught four passes for 16 yards (4.0 avg.). Bajema took over the tight end position as a sophomore, hauling in 16 passes for 271 yards (16.9 avg.) and a score to earn All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention. He also added eight solo tackles on special teams that year.
Bajema was chosen second-team All-Big Twelve in 2003, grabbing 12 passes for 129 yards (10.8 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns while collecting a pair of solo tackles. Bajema totaled 293 yards with a score on 20 receptions during his final campaign with the Cowboys. In 46 games at Oklahoma State, he accounted for 52 receptions, 709 yards (13.6 avg.) with four touchdowns and 14 tackles (13 solos) on special teams.
Analysis
Positives Has a wide frame with big "guns," solid chest, good bubble, thick thighs and calves and still has room for additional growth Adequate open field runner with decent downfield range Bends his knees properly and keeps his feet moving retreating in pass protection Has good change-of-direction agility with the body control to make proper adjustments going for the off-target throws Does a nice job of tracking the ball in flight, getting his head turned properly to look the ball in Effective at making the tough catches with defenders draped on him in traffic Catches away from the body's framework Takes good angles blocking in the second level and is more efficient hitting on the move than when asked to block at the line of scrimmage Maintains concentration and will not shy away from contact going for the ball in a crowd.
Negatives While he shows good blocking form, he needs to add more strength, as he cannot overpower defenders like one would like at this position Has to use his hands better to wall off his man, as he falls off too many blocks Needs to take proper blocking angles (does this up field, but not when working on the line) to sustain in order to compensate for a lack of thrust off the line Labors getting into gear, lacking the burst to get a clean release coming off the ball Needs route refinement, as he is choppy in his running stride and has to built up to top speed Better when playing in motion, as he is a long strider who gathers to cut and is easily covered because he is slow to break down His marginal lower body strength prevents him from getting leverage at the point of attack Does a poor job of finding the soft spot to settle in vs. zone coverage Has average timed speed, but because he rounds his cuts and fails to use his arms to separate, he is not efficient in a vertical attack Will drop an easy pass when he tries to cradle the ball or double catch.
Tight End - Oklahoma State
Height: 6-4 7/8 - Weight: 261
Overview
Bajema is not only a talented tight end, he is one of Oklahoma State's most decorated student-athletes in the classroom. On the field, Bajema performed capably at the tight end spot at which he had 37 career starts. In the classroom, he is a two-time Verizon Academic All-District selection and has been Academic All-Big Twelve Conference choice the past four seasons. He added ESPN Academic All-American accolades and was honored as a scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Bajema has a double major in General Business and Pre-Med, and carries a 3.7 grade point average. Bajema has been named to the President's Honor Roll four straight years and has been on the Big Twelve Commissioner's Honor Roll six times.
Bajema was a standout quarterback at Westmoore High School. During his senior season, he played on both sides of the ball, also seeing significant time at defensive end. He finished the season completing 69 of his 149 pass attempts for 845 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Both the Daily Oklahoman and the Tulsa World listed Bajema as an honorable mention all-state selection. He was also listed among the top 30 Oklahoma prospects by First Down Sports, and was selected to participate in the Oil Bowl. Bajema also competed as a member of the Jaguars' basketball and baseball teams.
Bajema saw action in eight games as a true freshman in 2001. He caught four passes for 16 yards (4.0 avg.). Bajema took over the tight end position as a sophomore, hauling in 16 passes for 271 yards (16.9 avg.) and a score to earn All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention. He also added eight solo tackles on special teams that year.
Bajema was chosen second-team All-Big Twelve in 2003, grabbing 12 passes for 129 yards (10.8 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns while collecting a pair of solo tackles. Bajema totaled 293 yards with a score on 20 receptions during his final campaign with the Cowboys. In 46 games at Oklahoma State, he accounted for 52 receptions, 709 yards (13.6 avg.) with four touchdowns and 14 tackles (13 solos) on special teams.
Analysis
Positives Has a wide frame with big "guns," solid chest, good bubble, thick thighs and calves and still has room for additional growth Adequate open field runner with decent downfield range Bends his knees properly and keeps his feet moving retreating in pass protection Has good change-of-direction agility with the body control to make proper adjustments going for the off-target throws Does a nice job of tracking the ball in flight, getting his head turned properly to look the ball in Effective at making the tough catches with defenders draped on him in traffic Catches away from the body's framework Takes good angles blocking in the second level and is more efficient hitting on the move than when asked to block at the line of scrimmage Maintains concentration and will not shy away from contact going for the ball in a crowd.
Negatives While he shows good blocking form, he needs to add more strength, as he cannot overpower defenders like one would like at this position Has to use his hands better to wall off his man, as he falls off too many blocks Needs to take proper blocking angles (does this up field, but not when working on the line) to sustain in order to compensate for a lack of thrust off the line Labors getting into gear, lacking the burst to get a clean release coming off the ball Needs route refinement, as he is choppy in his running stride and has to built up to top speed Better when playing in motion, as he is a long strider who gathers to cut and is easily covered because he is slow to break down His marginal lower body strength prevents him from getting leverage at the point of attack Does a poor job of finding the soft spot to settle in vs. zone coverage Has average timed speed, but because he rounds his cuts and fails to use his arms to separate, he is not efficient in a vertical attack Will drop an easy pass when he tries to cradle the ball or double catch.
Post a Comment