Andy Levitre

Andrew Steven Levitre (/ləˈviːtri/; born May 15, 1986) is an American football offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round, 51st overall in the 2009 NFL draft, and has also played for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers.

Early years

Levitre prepped at San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton, California, where he was a two-way lineman. In his junior season, he recorded 47 tackles, two quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries. He added more than 60 tackles and three sacks in his senior year.

Considered only a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com,^[1][2] Levitre was not ranked among the nation's top offensive line prospects in 2004. He chose Oregon State over LSU, Fresno State, and Arizona,^[3] where his older brother, Erick, played center (2002–06).

College career

Levitre redshirted in 2004, and played in all 11 games as a redshirt-freshman in 2005, while starting vs. Oregon. In his sophomore season, he started in game four of the season after senior starter Josh Linehan injured a knee in game three vs. Idaho. Levitre earned Pac-10 Honorable Mention as a player and academically.

During his junior year, Levitre started every game at either right or left tackle, and earned Pac-10 Conference second team honors as selected by the coaches. For his senior season he was named to the 2008 Outland Trophy watch list, and started all 13 games at left tackle. He registered a career-high 91 knockdowns and 14 touchdown-resulting blocks and was earned All-American status by the American Football Coaches Association and Pro Football Weekly. He was considered the most-decorated Beaver offensive lineman since John Didion, a consensus All-America choice in the late 1960s.^[3]

Professional career

2009 NFL draft

Alongside Duke Robinson and T. J. Lang, Levitre was considered one of the best guards available in the 2009 NFL draft.^[4] He has been compared to Todd Herremans by The Sporting News,^[5] and to Josh Beekman by CBS Sports.^[6]

Buffalo Bills (2009–2012)

Levitre in the 2011 NFL season.

Levitre was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 51st pick overall in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, and was the first college guard drafted. He is the sixth selection from Oregon State in Bills history, the first since Keith Ellison in 2006. Counted on to start at left guard, Levitre joined a completely retooled offensive line that was expected to feature two rookie starters—him, and first round pick Eric Wood at right guard—and no players returning at the same position. He started all 16 games in 2009.^[8]

On January 15, 2010, Levitre was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie team along with teammate Jairus Byrd.^[9]

Tennessee Titans (2013–2015)

On March 12, 2013, Levitre reached a six-year $46.8 million deal with the Tennessee Titans.^[10] Levitre underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January 2013 and still felt knee soreness just days after signing for the team.

Atlanta Falcons (2015–present)

On September 4, 2015, the Titans traded Levitre to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2016 6th round draft pick.^[11]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andy Levitre.

• Buffalo Bills bio
• Oregon State Beavers bio