National Football Foundation

The epitome of the term "student-athlete," California's Alex Mack possessed the perfect blend of academic excellence, athletic prowess and community leadership, rising to the top as the nation's best in 2008.

Graduating magna cum laude with a 3.61 GPA in legal studies, Mack was recognized for his on-field dominance as a two-time First Team All-American in 2007 and 2008. A four-time All-Pac 10 selection (twice a unanimous first team pick), the team captain also received the Morris Trophy two times as the conference's best offensive lineman.

A two-time Rimington Trophy finalist, he led an offensive unit that allowed the fewest sacks (24) in the Pac-10 in 2006 and 2007. Mack built a reputation for juggling his academic and athletic pursuits, and his teammates admired him for always having a book in hand. Mack's academic laurels include being a four-time Academic All-Pac- 10 selection and a two-time ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District pick.

Named the Pac-10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year in football, he also earned Cal's Neufeld Scholar-Athlete Award as the top male senior student-athlete. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Mack was the literal poster boy for Cal's "Dancing with the Stars" fund-raising event, which raised money for underprivileged children in the San Francisco area.

The Santa Barbara, Calif., native also regularly participated in an after-school program with local elementary schools.

Drafted 21st overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Mack joined Joe Thomas, an NFF National-Scholar Athlete from the 2006 class, on the Browns' offensive line. He started 80 consecutive games for the Browns from 2009-13 but missed most of the 2014 season with a leg injury. Mack is expected to return for the 2015 season. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2010 and 2013 and was named Second Team All-Pro in 2013.