Packers Draft 2009: Boston College DT B.J. Raji
Here's a look at Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji, the Green Bay Packers' first-round draft pick:
B.J. RAJI, DT, BOSTON COLLEGE
6-foot-1, 337 pounds, 5.14 seconds in the 40-yard dash
At a glance: Drafted ninth overall. ... Given name is Busari. ... Native of Washington Township, N.J. ... Born June 11, 1986. ... Son of two pentacostal ministers. ... Short-but-strong wide-bodied plugger in middle who can control line of scrimmage but needs to improve consistency and show more maturity; had 42 tackles, eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss as senior. ... Combined with fellow DT Ron Brace to help make BC the seventh-best defense against the run in the country. ... Sports Illustrated's Web site, SI.com, erroneously reported earlier this month that Raji tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine; his name was not in fact on the list of players disseminated to the NFL's 32 teams. ... Others reports indicated Raji tested positive for marijuana while in college. ... Missed the 2007 season because of academic ineligibility, which he said before the draft "humbled me. It was the best season BC had in 15, 16 years. We got up to No. 2 in the country, and they did that without me." ... Started 12 games in 2006, earning second-team all-ACC honors after recording 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Quotable: “He's a very powerful, explosive interior defensive lineman that has ability to definitely play the run. He also shows ability and power to be a pass-rusher from the inside,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. “We think his addition gives us a little flexibility with Ryan (Pickett). ... (Raji) is more than a space-eater. We're excited about him.”