Drew Dalman became everything that anyone associated with the program could have hoped for when he arrived at The Farm. He ended his career as arguably the best overall offensive lineman in the conference and is one of the best centers in the FBS.

Dalman's 84.8 PFF College grade was the highest among all offensive linemen in the Pac-12 who a majority of the snaps available this season.

Behind Dalman, who started 18 consecutive games for the Cardinal to end his career, Stanford averaged 420.2 yards per game, including 287.3 yards per game through the air and 132.8 on the ground. Stanford was much-improved on third down (48% in 2020 vs. 39% in 2019) and red-zone offense (78% TDs in 2020 vs. 47% TDs in 2019).

Dalman earned first team All-Pac-12 honors in 2020 after earning second team recognition in 2019. He is the son of Chris and Yanne and has one sister, Kate. Chris also played at Stanford before a professional career with the San Francisco 49ers. Chris was an assistant coach at Stanford on Jim Harbaugh's first staff at Stanford.

Drew plans to finish his degree in mechanical engineering and graduate in June 2021.

Statement from Dalman:

“Coming to Stanford has always been a dream of mine and these past four years have been everything I hoped they would be. In my time at Stanford, I was fortunate enough to learn from fantastic coaches, the best strength staff in the country and incredible teammates. I will always be thankful for the knowledge and companionship they allowed me to earn as well as the opportunities they made possible. Fortunately, I now have the opportunity to fulfill another one of my goals and for that reason I am declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Once again, thank you to Coach Carberry, Coach Shaw, Coach Pritchard and my brothers. I will always be grateful.”

It's not realistic to expect that any of Dalman's understudies will be able to come close to matching what the senior captain brought to the team as a leader on and off the field. It's far too high a bar to clear for a first-year starter.

However, there should be a good competition between Drake Nugent and Drake Metcalf to take over the position.

Nugent received praise from his teammates and coaches this year and the question didn't have to be about the second-year center for him to be mentioned, either. He can move well and has a strong, low base to help him compete against bigger defensive linemen.

Metcalf worked through some injury issues this season but there are high expectations for the former four star who was a multi-year starter at St. John Bosco.

Will position coach Kevin Carberry try any of the other linemen at the spot? Maybe, but it is probably unlikely that anyone else in the room will practice their way past the two guys recruited to play center.