Commodore Senior Lineman Justin Geisinger Showcases Talent in East West Game Saturday

Commodore Senior Lineman Justin Geisinger Showcases Talent in East West Game Saturday

1/14/2005

Commodore Senior Lineman Justin Geisinger Showcases Talent in East West Game Saturday

Vanderbilt senior offensive lineman Justin Geisinger gets a postseason opportunity to impress professional scouts as an offensive guard at the 80th East West Shrine Game, scheduled Saturday in San Francisco.

Geisinger, voted to the SEC Coaches’ all-conference squad in December, is expected to start at left guard for the East squad coached by Purdue’s Joe Tiller. The former Commodore standout, who played four years at offensive tackle, moved to guard when the East’s 10-member offensive line corps included an abundance of tackles.

“I’m excited about it and looking forward to the game,” Geisinger said Friday.  “With my body type, I’m probably going to be a guard at the next level so I just went ahead and said I’d move inside.”

Geisinger will attempt to showcase his blocking talents in front of more than 200 NFL scouts, coaches, administrators and staff members, in addition to a national television audience. 

Kickoff for the East West Shrine Game, scheduled to air on ESPN, is 1 p.m. CT.  It will be played in SBC Park, home of the San Francisco Giants baseball franchise.
 
Geisinger, who started 42 games at left tackle during his collegiate career, is the only Commodore senior expected to play in postseason all-star games. The native of Pittsburgh, Pa. will become the first Vanderbilt player to participate in the East West Shrine Game since linebacker Matt Stewart played in 2000. Stewart benefitted from his participation and is currently a key member of the Atlanta Falcons’ defense that is still contending for a Super Bowl berth.

Geisinger hopes to show professional scouts that he can handle the blocking responsibilities of an interior lineman as well as he did as a tackle, where he allowed just two quarterback sacks in his collegiate career. Among Geisinger’s biggest assets are tremendous strength, excellent footwork and a frame (6’4″, 340 lbs.) ideally suited for interior blocking.

“I’m adjusting well and getting more comfortable to the position with each practice. When I moved (to guard), I tried to view it as getting a headstart at my future position. That’s definitely been the case,” Geisinger said.

Geisinger also has been invited to the 2005 NFL Scouting Combine next month in Indianapolis.