The Ravens added an offensive lineman with a ton of potential and interesting backstory in the fifth round, grabbing guard/tackle Jermaine Eluemunor out of Texas A&M with pick No. 159.
The 6-foot-4, 332-pound Eluemunor played right tackle in college, but some in the NFL see him as a better fit at guard. He'll likely get a look at both spots in Baltimore, which has multiple openings on its offensive line.
"There's still a lot of upside with him," Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz said. "You look at him play and you see the talent in his body. He's moving guys off the line of scrimmage, he's a physical guy."
Eluemunor is still learning the game. He grew up in North London, where he played soccer until he was 11 years old, then rugby for the next three years.
In 2007, Eluemunor discovered the NFL when he was looking to watch an Arsenal Premier League soccer game on TV but instead stumbled upon a football game at London's Wembley Stadium between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins.
"They were just hitting the heck out of each other," Eluemunor told NFL Media. "I kind of found that exciting."
In 2009, Eluemunor moved to New Jersey with his father at the age of 14. "Football brought me here," Eluemunor said.
He had some tough times early on, but despite being a late starter to the sport, quickly became a sought-after prospect. He spent two years at Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania, then got offers from all the biggest programs and chose Texas A&M.
Eluemunor developed his game as a backup for two years, but didn't get his shot to play. That's when highly-respected offensive line coach Jim Turner took Eluemunor under his wing. Eluemunor took off in his final season, starting 12 of 13 games (three at right guard, nine at right tackle).
He has all the tools. His soccer and rugby background gave him good feet and movement skills. At the same time, he's extremely big and strong. His 34 bench press reps at the NFL Scouting Combine were the second-best among those at his position.
"He has physical traits I think you can develop," said NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who ranked Eluemunor as his 95th-overall player. "The tape isn't always pretty, but that's why we have offensive line coaches to make him better at the next level."
Eluemunor had a pre-draft visit with the Ravens and said he connected with new Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris. Eluemunor told those around him that he thought he might end up in Baltimore, but "kind of lost hope" when the Ravens drafted guard Nico Siragusa in the fourth round.
"They came back and got me," Eluemunor said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity, and I'm ready to go."
Eluemunor says he envisions playing right tackle with the Ravens. Baltimore currently has a starting spot open after Rick Wagner left for Detroit in free agency. The Ravens' starting candidates will now be Eluemunor, James Hurst, Stephane Nembot and De'Ondre Wesley.
It won't be long until Eluemunor gets to go back home. The Ravens will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 24.
"That's going to be a dream come true," Eluemunor said.
