Zach Banner has always stood out. The former five-star recruit and 16th-ranked ranked prospect in the nation (Rivals) was 6-foot-8 and 310 pounds in high school before arriving at USC in 2012.
He briefly played basketball for the Trojans before concentrating on football, where he made 27 starts in four seasons after redshirting as a freshman. Dubbed an NFL prospect from his days at Lakes High School in Lakewood, Wash., Banner lived up to expectations, though he size went from asset to liability.
He tipped the scales at nearly 400 pounds after last season but has since lost more than 40 pounds and wowed scouts with his combination of power, upper-body strength and versatility. Banner is one of three former NFL-bound USC players who weigh at least 325 pounds.
Here are the 12 best 2017 NFL Draft prospects who weigh 325 pounds.
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12. Zack Johnson – G, North Dakota State
Height/Weight: 6'4", 346 pounds
Projected: 7th round-Undrafted
Zack Johnson is a two-time FCS All-American and one of the strongest players in the nation. He's well-built, does not look like he weighs 346 pounds and should be a high-priority free agent if he's not selected on day three.
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11. Josh Tupou – DT, Colorado
Height/Weight: 6'3", 325 pounds
Projected: 7th round-Undrafted
Once just a gigantic run-stuffer, Josh Tupou has dropped weight and become a surprisingly athletic defensive tackle — 45 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in 2016.
He still lacks good lateral movement and is only a factor in the pass rush against overmatched interior lineman or when the quarterback steps up in the pocket.
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10. Javarius Leamon – OT, South Carolina State
Height/Weight: 6'7", 332 pounds
Projected: 7th round-Undrafted
Leamon was a four-star recruit in 2012 and picked Clemson over a slew of big-time offers. But he couldn't qualify and went to South Carolina State, where he was a two-time all-conference pick and kept his NFL stock alive.
For now he's a late-round flier who lacks refined technique and good footwork, but he could develop into a decent backup option.
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9. Greg Pyke – G, Georgia
Height/Weight: 6'5", 330 pounds
Projected: 7th round-Undrafted
Greg Pyke displayed versatility by playing both guard and tackle at Georgia but will remain inside at the next level. It's hard to see him in more than a short-term relief role if given the chance.
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8. Justin Senior – OT, Mississippi State
Height/Weight: 6'5", 331 pounds
Projected: 7th round-Undrafted
Senior, a Montreal native, started all but one game at right tackle for the Bulldogs the last three seasons and is considered the top-ranked CFL prospect. It's possible he could opt for the CFL if NFL teams aren't wowed by his average footwork and oftentimes reckless aggressiveness.
7. Grover Stewart – DT, Albany State
Height/Weight: 6'4", 347 pounds
Projected: 6th round-Undrafted
Grover Stewart has come from nowhere to become an intriguing D2 prospect. The mammoth defensive tackle used his powerful lower-body to record 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season.
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6. David Sharpe – OT, Florida
Height/Weight: 6'6", 343 pounds
Projected: 5th-6th round
Sharpe could've returned to Florida and worked his way into second-day consideration for next year's draft. Instead, the left tackle should attract enough attention this year with his massive frame, quickness as a pull blocker and overall strength.
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5. Ben Braden – G, Michigan
Height/Weight: 6'6", 329 pounds
Projected: 5th-7th round
Ben Braden is one of the biggest draft-worthy guards in recent memory. He's a terrific run-blocker but average in pass protection, routinely getting blown past by quicker interior linemen after going too vertical.
Nonetheless, Braden has a powerful upper-body and fantastic hands that will demolish lazy defenders. He has an outside chance of landing in the fourth round if all goes perfect.
4. Damien Mama – G, USC
Height/Weight: 6'3", 334 pounds
Projected: 4th-6th round
One of the three meaty USC players expected to be drafted, Damien Mama is a 334-pound guard with a terrifying first punch and improved athleticism after losing more than 70 pounds the last couple of years.
A year or two as a backup to improve his pass-blocking could result in a starting job down the road.
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3. Stevie Tu'ikolovatu – DT, USC
Height/Weight: 6'1", 331 pounds
Projected: 4th-5th round
Tu'ikolovatu's story is remarkable. His college career started at Utah before a two-year missionary trip to the Philippines. He returned to the Utes and had 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks between 2014-15.
Then his career took off after transferring to USC, where he clogged in the inside for the Trojans, recording more than four tackles per game.
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2. Zach Banner – OT, USC
Height/Weight: 6'8", 353 pounds
Projected: 3rd-4th-round
The new and improved Zach Banner might be able to slid into the middle part of day two if NFL teams are convinced he hasn't lost any power or muscle with the weight loss. He could play both tackle spots or even slide inside to guard.
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1. Jermaine Eluemunor – G, Texas A&M
Height/Weight: 6'4", 332 pounds
Projected: 2nd-3rd round
Jermaine Eluemunor continues to improve his draft stock. The 6-foot-4, 332-pound guard is remarkably quick for his size and has improved his pass-blocking with experience at right tackle.
Still a developmental player, teams could either take a chance early or wait to see how far he falls.
