Bryan Bulaga life and biography

Bryan Bulaga is an American football offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.

• Became sixth Iowa player to be named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and third this decade.
• Started 23 of 26 games at left tackle over last two seasons, missing three games in 2009 due to thyroid condition.
• First offensive lineman selected in the first round by the Packers since 1997 (Ross Verba) and third offensive lineman from Iowa taken in the first round in team history (Verba, Ron Hallstrom in 1982).
• A star two-way player as a prep, was recruited by several major college programs as a defensive lineman.

COLLEGE CAREER:
Accomplished left tackle who was drafted by the Packers with the No. 23 overall pick this past April as a potential heir to veteran Chad Clifton as quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ blind-side protector... An early entry in the draft, played three seasons at Iowa, the last two as the full-time starter at LT after beginning his college career at LG... In 2009, received numerous All-America and All-Big Ten accolades, including the conference’s offensive lineman of the year award, becoming the fifth Hawkeye to receive the honor, along with Robert Gallery (2003), Eric Steinbach (2002), Mike Devlin (1992), Dave Croston (1986) and Mike Haight (1985)... Enjoyed productive junior season despite missing three games due to a thyroid condition... Following the season opener, a cold or flu virus settled in his thyroid, causing weakness and fatigue during any periods of exertion... Missed three games to get treatment and then needed three games on the field before feeling back to full strength... Concluded his college career with a standout performance against Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan in the Orange Bowl, holding the Tennessee Titans’ eventual first-round draft pick (No. 16 overall) to just three tackles in Iowa’s 24-14 win... Started every game at LT as a sophomore in 2008 after starting five games at LG as a true freshman in 2007... In all, played in 30 games for Iowa with 28 starts, 23 of them at LT... Allowed just 3½ sacks and was penalized only five times in his career... A true Midwesterner, grew up in Crystal Lake, Ill., and was a decorated two-way football star who was recruited by other major programs as a defensive lineman... Chose Iowa in part because of the opportunity to play offensive line, and also because Iowa City reminded him the most of his hometown, a trait he likened to Green Bay upon seeing the city for the first time... True to his roots, invited his high school football coaches along with his family to New York City’s Radio City Music Hall for the 2010 NFL Draft, where some projections had him as a Top 10 selection... Was still on the board in the second half of the first round and became the fourth offensive tackle taken at No. 23... Became the first offensive lineman to be selected in the first round by the Packers since Ross Verba in 1997 and the third Iowa offensive lineman to be selected by the Packers in the first round in team history (Verba, Ron Hallstrom in 1982)... Majored in communication studies.

2009: Started 10 of 13 games at LT, missing three early-season games with a thyroid condition... A cold or flu virus settled into his thyroid, causing weakness and fatigue... Even after returning to the lineup, needed another three games to feel back to full strength... Still, was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-America selection by Sporting News... Other All-America honors came from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and The Associated Press (both second team), CollegeFootballNews.com (third team), and Pro Football Weekly (honorable mention)... Named first-team All-Big Ten by league’s coaches and media, Sporting News and Phil Steele’s College Football... One of four juniors named to team’s 2009 leadership group... Allowed two sacks on 392 pass plays and was penalized just three times on the season... Vs. Northern Iowa (Sept. 5): Started at LT but missed the next three games at Iowa State (Sept. 12), vs. Arizona (Sept. 19) and at Penn State (Sept. 26) due to thyroid condition... Vs. Arkansas State (Oct. 3): Returned to starting lineup at LT... Vs. Michigan (Oct. 10): Started at LT but allowed two sacks and 3½ total tackles for loss to DE Brandon Graham, the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2010 draft by Philadelphia; those were the only sacks he allowed all season... At Wisconsin (Oct. 17): Allowed two tackles for loss to DE O’Brien Schofield, but admitted to finally feeling back to full strength the following week at Michigan State (Oct. 24)... Vs. Indiana (Oct. 31): Helped offense gain 480 total yards... At Ohio State (Nov. 14): Part of offensive line that allowed just one sack all game in OT defeat... Vs. Georgia Tech (Jan. 5): At Orange Bowl in Miami, limited Morgan, drafted No. 16 overall in the first round by Tennessee, to just three tackles; key block on Morgan cleared way for RB Brandon Wegher’s 32-yard TD run to seal 24-14 win to close college career.

2008: Started all 13 games at LT, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from league’s coaches and honorable mention from media... Named first-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele’s College Football and Sophomore All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com... In 835 total snaps, was penalized just twice, and on 320 pass plays allowed only 1½ sacks... Helped rushing offense, led by future N.Y. Jets draft pick RB Shonn Greene, top 200 yards six times... Vs. Maine (Aug. 30): Made first start at LT as offense rushed for 245 yards and compiled 457 total yards... Vs. Florida International (Sept. 6): Helped offense post season-high 512 total yards, including 245 on the ground... Vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 18): Aided ground game in churning out season-best 254 rushing yards, including 217 yards and four TDs from Greene... Vs. Purdue (Nov. 15): Helped offense rush for 248 yards; on 14-yard TD run by Greene, threw a block on fellow 2010 Green Bay draftee Mike Neal, though the two did not go head-to-head throughout the game.

2007: Played in seven games, with five starts at LG, playing every offensive snap in those five starts to close the season... One of 11 true freshmen to see action for the Hawkeyes... Named to Freshman All-Big Ten team by Sporting News... After coming off the bench to play in season opener vs. Northern Illinois (Sept. 1), missed the next five contests with a shoulder injury... Vs. Illinois (Oct. 13): Returned to action from shoulder injury, coming off the bench... At Purdue (Oct. 20): Made first career start, at LG... Vs. Michigan State (Oct. 27): Started at LG as offense rushed for 230 yards in double-OT win to start a three-game winning streak.

HIGH SCHOOL:
As a senior at Marian Central Catholic High (Woodstock, Ill.), earned Parade and PrepStar first-team All-American honors, plus second-team recognition from USA Today... Also earned first-team all-state honors from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, the Chicago Tribune and the Champaign News Gazette, and was named Suburban Catholic Conference and Northwest Herald Area Player of the Year... A two-year varsity captain who did not allow a sack as a LT in his career; also played DE, LB and TE... As a junior, was named first-team all-area by the Chicago Sun-Times... In his career, recorded 261 career tackles, with 46 for loss, 31 sacks and one INT, with 23 of the sacks coming at DE as a senior... As a TE, posted 35 career receptions for 665 yards (19.0 avg.) and 10 TDs, plus three two-point conversions... Also lettered one year each in baseball and basketball.

PERSONAL:
Given name Bryan Joseph Bulaga... Born in Barrington, Ill. ... Single... Participated in an effort to help flood victims in Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Once worked at his uncle’s Avis rental car business... Enjoys watching movies, reading, and playing golf and video games... Lists Family Guy as his favorite TV show and The Dark Knight as his favorite movie... Residence: Crystal Lake, Ill.

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