Lance Olberding

Lance Olberding is a former gridiron football offensive lineman who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He is notable for being drafted despite never playing a snap in a college football game.

Lance Olberding
Personal information
Born: (1971-03-01) March 1, 1971
Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:298 lb (135 kg)
Career information
High school:Apple Valley (MN)
College:Iowa
Kirkwood CC
Position:Offensive tackle
NFL Draft:1992 / Round: 7 / Pick: 172
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Amateur career

Olberding was a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes traveling team as a freshman, but did not see any playing time.[1] After the season, he transferred to Kirkwood Community College.[2] In 1992, Olberding joined the Randolph Oilers of the Eastern Football League (EFL), an amateur football team in Randolph, Massachusetts. While with Randolph, he was coached by former National Football League (NFL) offensive lineman Jim Rourke.[1]

Professional career

Despite having very limited college football experience, NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Olberding the eighth best offensive tackle in the 1992 NFL Draft.[3] At the 1992 NFL scouting combine, Olberding ran a 5.4 second 40-yard dash and bench pressed 22 reps.[4]

Cincinnati Bengals

Olberding was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 172nd overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.[5][6] He was the first player ever drafted from the Eastern Football League.[7] First-year Bengals head coach Dave Shula had high praise for Olberding's work ethic, saying, "Lance [Olberding] has a good mix of athletic ability and size. We don't expect him to in and start right away, but we do expect him to come in and compete for a spot on the roster."[8]

Minnesota Vikings

Olberding was a practice squad player for the Minnesota Vikings in 1992.

New England Patriots

In 1993, Olberding spent the preseason with the New England Patriots.[9]

References
  1. Dell'Apa, Frank (July 12, 1991). "Swann clones suit up for the Randolph Oilers: They're big, they're out of school and they have NFL tools" (PDF). The Boston Globe.
  2. "Lance Olberding NFL Stats and Bio - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  3. Farley, Glen (February 3, 1992). "Oilers' Olberding could make EFL History" (PDF). Brockton Enterprise.
  4. "Lance Olberding | Combine Results | OT - Iowa". Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  5. "The Official Site of the Cincinnati Bengals". www.bengals.com. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  6. Ledbetter, D. Orlando (April 28, 1992). "Semi-pro tackle big project for McNally". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. Farley, Glen (April 28, 1992). "Olberding 7th round pick of the Bengals" (PDF). The Brockton Enterprise.
  8. Pinsonnault, Jay (April 29, 1992). "Oilers' Olberding 'has shot' at NFL" (PDF). The Patriot Ledger.
  9. Farley, Glen. "Pats hopeful has powerful inspiration". Brockton Enterprise.
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