Even with a thyroid condition that forced him out three games earlier this year, Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga is widely considered one of the top three offensive tackles in the country.
Following the 2009 season, the lineman will have a decision to make. Either return to Iowa for his senior season or become an early entrant in the 2010 NFL draft.
Given how he’s viewed, Bulaga said it wouldn’t be smart to totally dismiss an early future in the NFL. He does say, however, that right now he’s concentrated on football on the field while his parents are dealing with the stuff off of it.
“I think it’s foolish if you go out and you’re not going to be a top guy,” he said. “When you get taken in the first round, that says a lot about you and a lot about how you’ve played.
“Right now, my parents are taking care of all that kind of stuff. I’m staying out of it.”
Once Bulaga does get around to making a decision on his future, one person he will rely heavily on is head coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz is a former NFL coach who still enjoys close ties to many around the league. It’s that experience and those connections that will help Bulaga form his opinion.
“The guy who’s going to know most is coach Ferentz,” Bulaga said. “He’s going to be the guy who knows all the stuff, and that’s the one guy I’m going to go to. That’s going to be the main source of information.”
