California was ranked seventh in the nation with 5.6 yards per rush and senior Alex Mack anchored that offensive line on and off the field. He almost never got the chance. Mack came close to entering the NFL Draft as a junior, but decided to come back for his senior season.

“They had a lot of injuries on the offensive line and were not very good last year,” Okanes said. “Alex had a bunch of inexperienced guys playing around him. Cal went 9-4, but the defense carried them.

“I asked Alex if playing with those inexperienced guys made him regret his decision to come back. He said he liked it more. He got to help all these other guys and became a coach on the field. He played with two to three inexperienced guys who never played college football. Alex helped them out.”

According to Okanes, Mack also left an impression on his coaches.

“Coaches rave about his ability to direct traffic and make calls on the line,” Okanes said. “He’s a thoughtful guy all the way around on and off the field. When you interview him, he’s not outgoing, but he’s not quiet. You can tell he gives thoughtful answers to what you ask him whereas other guys give you those stock answers.”

Other guys also can’t do the splits. Okanes has the image burned into his mind of the 6-foot-4, 312-pound offensive lineman doing the splits as an unforgettable way to express Mack’s athleticism. Freakish flexibility aside, Mack’s on the field personality should serve him well especially against mammoth NFL nose tackles.

“He’s relentless,” Okanes said. “It’s not that he plays nasty, but he has a bit of a nasty streak. He’ll block guys 20 yards down the field to the final whistle. He plays snap to whistle and will block up to three to four to five guys in a single play. He has a great combination of relentlessness and physical abilities.”