Having started all but one of the 49 games he suited up for at Texas A&M, Kirk Elder served as the veteran leader of one of the better pass protection units in college football.

Elder played "quick-side" offensive guard, leading the way for an A&M offense that averaged 442.3 yards per game during his sophomore year, 397.4 yards in 2006 and 397.0 yards during his senior campaign.

A member of the team's Leadership Council, Elder has received All-Big Twelve Conference honors in each of his four seasons at A&M. Opposing defensive players named him the toughest blocker in the conference, during a poll held during the league's 2007 Kickoff Luncheon last August, and the offensive guard has done everything that he can to live up to that reputation.

Being an offensive line leader seems to be a natural process for Elder. At Klein Oak High School, he led a front wall that cleared the way for consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons by former Aggie teammate Derrick Brown. Elder earned first-team All-District honors and was named team MVP and offensive line MVP. He recorded 106 knockdown blocks as a senior and ended his career with 178 total. The consensus Texas Top 100 recruit was also one of the state's top entries in the discus.

Elder spent the 2003 season performing on the scout team at Texas A&M. After coming off the bench in the 2004 season opener vs. Utah, he went on to start the next 49 games for the Aggies. He was an All-Big 12 honorable mention that season, making 58 knockdown blocks to help the offense average 428.4 yards per game.

As a sophomore, Elder again received All-Big Twelve honorable mention for his play at the "quick" guard position. He produced six touchdown-resulting blocks and 77 knockdowns, playing a major part in the Aggies averaging 442.3 yards per game, the second-best season average in school history.

Elder continued his steady improvement, especially with his short-area pulling skills. He was named All-Big Twelve first-team contributing 87 knockdowns along with eight touchdown-resulting blocks. The offense averaged 206.8 yards and totaled 32 touchdowns on the ground.

Elder was again chosen to the All-Big 12 first-team as a senior, as he increased his knockdown block total to 97 in 2007. He also came up with eight more touchdown-resulting blocks, as the line allowed just 16 sacks on 376 pass plays. The Aggies also averaged 211.6 yards while amassing 31 touchdowns with their running attack.

Positives: Has a thick, solid build with strong hands, good upper-body power, well-developed chest, back and shoulder muscles, thick lower frame with a big bubble and muscular legs … Aggressive player with a nasty demeanor, as he will not stop attacking his opponent until the whistle … Has limited range and shorter arms, but when defenders try to attack him, he has the raw power in his hands to put them on the ground … When in proper position, he works to finish and, while he lacks good balance, he is hard to move off the line when he drops his anchor … Smart enough and respected by the staff to the degree it allowed him to sit in on coaches' meeting and has served as the team's de facto player liason to the coaches … Does not have the balance to run long distances, but he comes off the snap with good explosion to create sudden movement … Squares up opponents quickly when they are lined over his head and when he does shoot his hands, he can shock on contact … Falls off blocks on the move, but has very good leg drive to widen and sustain the rush lanes on short pulls … Has to play under better control in space, but does take good angles to shorten his path to the defender … If he gets his hands on an opponent, the battle quickly ends in his favor … Plays with a "chip on his shoulder" in pass protection and, while he does grab more than punch with his hands, he has the strength needed to twist and torque … Has enough functional kick slide to protect the pocket, as long as he does not have to adjust or move laterally … Uses his inside shoulder well to gain position and cut down the opponent … Good zone blocker who works well in unison with his tackle and center.

Negatives: Has a well-built frame, but is quite stiff in his hips and struggles to adjust, recover and mirror, whether moving in-line or in space … Lacks good balance on the move and spends more time on the ground when asked to do so … Because of a lack of hip flexibility, he will overextend and lunge at defenders … Shows marginal explosion coming off the snap and while he can stay square, he needs defenders coming right at him in order to be effective … Does not adjust well to twists and games and fails to finish some blocks or locate linebackers when working into the second level … If he fails to get initial contact on a defender with his hands, he is slow to recover … Despite his weight-room strength, he will grab the opponent, not generate punch … Sometimes looks like a revolving door (spins with arms to his side) for speedy bull rushers who have good success on one-gap assignments vs. him … Gets a bit reckless trying to latch on to the defender, resulting in costly holding penalties … His lack of mobility and range sees him caught out of position vs. blitzers at times.

Compares To: DAN BUENNING-Tampa Bay … Elder has a good mauler's mentality when he keeps his hands active. He lacks range and lateral agility to get into the second level to stalk linebackers and is not the quickest getting out of his stance or adjusting to stunts and twists. He struggles with movement and is best when defenders attack him. He is a physical drive blocker who creates movement off the snap, firing off the ball with good urgency. It will be difficult to stop him from bending at the waist or to improve his hip flexibility, but if lined up next to a physical tackle, he can be a devastating power blocker.

2004: Played late in the season with a broken clavicle, but did not miss any game time.

Campus: 5.2 in the 40-yard dash … 415-pound bench press … 680-pound squat … 395-pound hang clean … 25-inch vertical jump … 4.46 20-yard shuttle … 31 ¾-inch arm length … 9 3/8-inch hands … Right-handed … 23/38 Wonderlic score.

Attended Klein Oak (spring, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach David Smith … Led a front wall that cleared the way for consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons by former Aggie teammate Derrick Brown … Earned first-team All-District honors and was named team MVP and offensive line MVP … Recorded 106 knockdown blocks as a senior and ended his career with 178 total … The consensus Texas Top 100 recruit was also one of the state's top entries in the discus.

Political Science major … Son of Ann Taylor and Charlie Elder, both former Texas A&M students … Born Charles Kirkland Elder IV on 11/21/84 in Spring, Texas.