If you are coaching a team that has a fierce running game, you better have some overpowering linemen to do the dirty work. John Jerry, a long-armed, 6-foot-5, 350-pound offensive lineman for Ole Miss is one such blocker.

Jerry, a liberal arts major, is a hard-working player who loves football. He is constantly pouring over film to study his next opponent. He is a focused individual and concentrates when it comes to anything he does. When it's time for school, it's all about school. When it's time for football … well, it's football time.

Mississippi offensive line coach Mike Markuson knows how passionate and intelligent Jerry is about his craft.

"Some guys, it takes them a while to digest what you're telling them," he said. "Whether it's fundamental things, assignment issues … anything pertaining to scheme. He is one of those people who can pick it up and know what you're talking about right away, and will go out and try to execute what you tell him."

Jerry was an all-state selection at South Panola High in Batesville, Miss., and a member of the 2005 Ole Miss signing class, but he instead attended Hargrave Military Academy, a college prep school, for a year. He went on to earn first-team freshman All-America accolades in 2006 at Mississippi after starting all 12 games at right guard.

The senior-to-be is a prototypical mauling lineman. He started every game of his career at right guard before a move to tackle in 2008. He's a terrific run blocker who helped running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis top the 1,000-yard rushing mark in consecutive seasons (2006-07). If Jerry gets a hold of the defender, it's over. He'll lock on and, with his great footwork, he'll block his opponent down to the ground. He is a pancake machine.

Jerry has played in all 37 games over the past three seasons, starting 34. Last season, he moved to the starting right tackle spot and was named second-team All-SEC for the surprising Rebels, who were second in the ultra-tough SEC in rushing. Jerry also received the J. Richard Price Courage and Compassion Award.

"[Jerry's] got everything he needs to be a great offensive lineman this year," Markuson said. "It's all about putting it all together on a daily basis and a weekly basis."

The Rebels primarily utilize a gap blocking scheme. When the offensive line has an opportunity to double block a defender, the linemen will block the defender into the middle and backside linebackers. They call it the power and counter game.

Markuson explains the advantage of fitting Jerry's style of blocking to the scheme:

"When he can block down on you, or double somebody with a guard … man, he just caves the whole thing down. That [defender] isn't going to make the tackle."

From an NFL standpoint Jerry could be very valuable to a team thanks to his versatility. He reminds me of Shawn Andrews, the veteran guard/tackle drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles out of the SEC (Arkansas) in 2004. Jerry also can play left or right guard/tackle and do so effectively. Currently he is projected to go in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, but a lot can happen in one year. He needs to use his senior year to get stronger, faster and in overall better shape.

Markuson says one thing Jerry already excels at is leadership.

"He's a great team player. Leader on offense, gets on the lineman if they're not going hard, and gets on people in drills. He knows how to play the game. He approaches the game the way it's supposed to be approached-full speed and very tenacious," he said.

Jerry has good genes working in his favor regarding an NFL future. His brother Peria, an Ole Miss defensive tackle, was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in this year's draft, and cousins Eddie Strong and Dwayne Rudd both played in the NFL.