NFL preseason ended on a high note for the Washington Redskins, as it secured a 20-13 victory on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Offensive guard Arie Kouandjio powered the team to 302 total yards, including 246 coming on the ground. Running backs Mack Brown and Robert Kelley ran behind Kouandjio, accounting for 149 yards and 99 yards respectively. Brown ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Kouandjio was solid in pass protecting, giving Nate Sudfeld a chance to complete eight of 18 pass attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter.
Despite suffering a knee injury as a redshirt freshman in 2011, Kouandjio was a staple on Alabama’s offensive front from 2012-14. He would block for three 1,000-yard rushers in his tenure, including two during the 2012 season (Eddie Lacy, T.J. Yeldon).
Kouandjio earned a starting role in both his junior and senior seasons (2013-14), guiding the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference championship in 2014. He received first-team All-SEC honors and second-team All-American honors for his efforts during that year.
Kouandjio was a member on two SEC championship teams and two BCS national championship squads, prior to being selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Redskins.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
