Dan Koppen, Tom Nalen and Todd McClure are just some names of NFL centers who have had fruitful professional careers after flying under the radar in college. To say Cavender has been a model of consistency would be an understatement, as he went on to set the school career record with 51 consecutive starts. Saying he is one of the most versatile offensive linemen would also be an understatement. He joined the program as a guard, started his entire freshman season at right tackle and then took over center duties in 2005.

Cavender moved to right guard for his junior campaign and then shifted back to the center position for his senior season. Along the way, there were several games in which he played multiple positions during the course of those contests. Even though offensive tackle Ryan Clady received most of the attention from the media in 2007, Cavender shared team Offensive Lineman of the Year honors.

"Jeff Cavender is one of the leaders, not only on our offensive line, but on our offense, and this team and he have shown it all throughout his career," said Boise State head coach Chris Peterson. "We have moved him from guard to tackle to center to guard and back to center he hasn't missed a beat. He has made us a heck of a lot better with his flexibility."

Cavender and his twin brother, Pete, attended Elko High School, where Jeff was a three- sport letterman, earning four in football, four more in track and one in basketball. He was a two-time first-team All-State selection in football and was named to the Prep Star All-Region team.

Cavender was a member of the Class 4A Northern Region football team. A versatile player, he started on the offensive line, defensive line, at tight end, linebacker, kicker and long snapper during his career. He was named to the All-State academic team three times in football and track and was a member of the Honor Roll.

Cavender and his brother enrolled at Boise State in 2003. Jeff competed on the scout team as an offensive guard, but moved to right tackle during 2004 spring camp. He started all 12 contests at that position, coming up with 44 knockdowns as the Broncos ranked second in the nation in scoring (48.9) and fourth in total offense (492.7), while ranking 14th in the country in rushing (229.8) and 20th in passing (262.8). He also helped the offense set a school record with 49 rushing touchdowns.

As a sophomore, Cavender shifted to center, producing 62 knockdowns in 13 starts. Boise State finished ninth in the country in scoring (36.08), 19th in rushing (202.46) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (36). In 2006, Cavender again provided the team with valuable veteran guidance, shifting to right guard to replace his brother Pete, who was lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The new right guard was credited with eight touchdown-resulting blocks for a running attack that averaged 214.2 yards per game.

Cavender made his fifth positional switch as a Bronco, returning to the center slot. He was not only named Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year on the team, but received All-Western Athletic Conference second-team honors. He collected 83 knockdowns with nine touchdown-resulting blocks, leading the way as the front wall allowed just 19 sacks on 460 pass plays. The offense amassed 6,076 yards, an average of 467.4 yards per game.

Positives: Has a short, compact build and needs to improve his strength to create movement, but has good arm length and hand placement to combat counter moves and also uses his big hands well to grab and drag down defenders … His versatility is his best asset, and even though he has not done it in college he shows good hand quickness and prep experience as a deep snapper … Durable, smart athlete who makes all the blocking assignment calls and has a good grasp of the playbook … Alert to twists and games, as he has the adequate foot quickness and lateral agility to be an efficient blocker on the move … Gets better movement off the snap on pulls and shows good kick slide in his pass protection … Flashes a strong hand jolt coming out of his stance and shows good leg drive getting into the defender … Has enough hip snap and foot agility to wall off and seal … Maintains his base and opens his hips properly in his drive blocking technique … Shows good knee bend and lateral slide in pass protection, mirroring the defender's moves … Effective shot gun snapper.

Negatives: Short in stature and his frame is at maximum growth potential … Needs to improve his overall strength, especially in the upper body, as he can be walked back into the pocket by a strong bull rush and lacks the leg drive to sustain the rush lanes for long … Needs to play with better aggression, as he tries to finesse defenders rather than trying to maul them … Has good hand placement, but his punch fails to consistently shock or jolt his opponents … Best when blocking on the move, but must improve his anchor when working at the line of scrimmage, as he does not get much movement for the ground game … Lacks suddenness coming out of his stance … Improved his hand placement as a senior, but will get wild with them and this leaves his chest exposed for defenders to attack.

Compares To: TODD McCLURE-Atlanta … Cavender's best chance of playing at the pro level is more likely at center, but he needs to improve his strength, as his frame lacks bulk, causing him to struggle when trying to anchor. With his ability to play any position on the line, he could be the final roster fill-in at the end of the bench, but outside of his versatility, he offers little value for a team looking for a starter.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 5.44 in the 40-yard dash … 1.9 10-yard dash … 3.12 20-yard dash … 350-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times … 25-inch vertical jump … 7'10" broad jump … 4.7 20-yard shuttle … 7.07 three-cone drill … 32-inch arm length … 9 ¾-inch hands … Right-handed … 22/50 Wonderlic score.

Combine: Did not receive an invitation.

Attended Elko (Nev.) High School, playing football for head coach Bob Milligan … Three- sport letterman, earning four in football, four more in track and one in basketball … Two-time first-team All-State selection in football and was named to the Prep Star All-Region team … Member of the Class 4A Northern Region football team … Started on the offensive line, defensive line, at tight end, linebacker, kicker and long snapper during his career … Named to the All-State academic team three times in football and track and was a member of the Honor Roll.

Communications major … Twin brother, Pete, was a teammate and fellow offensive lineman at Elko High School and Boise State … Born 11/24/84 … Resides in Elko, Nevada.