One half of Boston College's defensive tackle duo, Ron Brace is thought to be a rare commodity in this year's NFL draft. He is believed to be the only one of his kind at the Nose Tackle position, a position hard to find and unique in itself.

Aware of the shortage, NFL teams are really starting to take notice of this monster in the middle.

Brace is drawing interest from a number of teams that include Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Denver. He has a private workout scheduled with the Broncos later this week.

Another team said to have some interest is the Detroit Lions after trading their top defensive tackle Cory Redding to the Seattle Seahawks. Brace, who is an Albert Haynesworth type tackle, would be an ideal fit in Jim Schwartz's defense. Schwartz coached Haynesworth when they were both with the Tennessee Titians.

Brace's agent Nate Haber of Players Rep Sports Management commented recently on what sets his client apart from the field.

"Ron's an interesting prospect because he's really the only true nose tackle in this draft that warrants a first-day draft grade," Haber said. "If you want that big run stuffer, a mauler who will collapse the pocket and occupy several linemen, then he's your guy. 

"It's exciting because we've received just as much interest from 4-3 teams as we have from 3-4 teams.  When you have 32 potential employers in need of your services, things are good."

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay supports the agent's statement on the D-tackle position.

"Guys like Mississippi's Peria Jerry and [Missouri's] Evander Hood are all 3-technique, undersized guys," said McShay. "So if you don't get Brace in the first two rounds, you'll be looking for backup guys in the fourth, fifth or sixth round."

That said Brace could very easily be the second D-tackle off the board in the first round behind teammate B.J. Raji due to his versatility to play either tackle position.

The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Brace is a smash-mouth player who is tough in the trenches. He's a bonafide run-stuffer but can get penetration during gap assignments to wreak havoc in the backfield.

He's explosive off the snap and very athletic for a guy his size, showing outstanding agility and quickness to angle and stunt.

Brace demonstrates solid hand technique and packs a powerful hand punch. However, he will need to continue to develop on his pass-rushing technique early in his career.

Brace shows good pursuit; does a great job shedding blocks and anchors extremely well. A large part of Raji's success could be attributed to Brace who saw a lot of double-teams.

The Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff marveled over the player's ability and intelligence when they coached him at the Senior Bowl in January.

Bottom line, Brace has a tremendous work ethic and would be a force in the middle of any D-line.

When Brace is not wreaking havoc on the playing field he's following in his father's (Ron Brace II) footsteps, working with troubled youths in his community.

"I think a lot of youths are being misled by thinking that a life of crime is the only way to get out of a bad situation in life," Brace said in a recent phone interview. "But realistically they're digging themselves a bigger hole. They need someone to teach them that there is a better way to make a life for them."

Brace learned at an early age that crime doesn't pay. As a youngster, he was brought to Westfield Youth Services Center where his father worked, every weekend for a reality check. He saw a lot of his childhood chums there in confinement during the visits and knew right away that this was not the life for him.

Brace said anytime an opportunity presents itself to speak to the kids he's there, because many of them come from the same area of Springfield, Massachusetts where he grew up.

"Some of these youths are coming to believe that if they're not making it in school or sports then that's the end. That's not true. They're just being fed the wrong ideals on what life is about. So a lot of them think that life is about going out and hanging with gangs, smoking marijuana, drinking, and thinking that's the life. When in reality it's really not. This is wide spread throughout the country and not just in the area I come from.

"I think these kids need a better role model than I would say a rapper," Brace said. "They really need someone who comes from their area and will give them a more realistic view on how they can make it in life. Not everyone is going to be a rapper. Most rappers who are successful are talking about a life where you're in the club all night, poppin' bottles, selling this and that to everybody, and kids are being made to believe that this is a life of success. They're just selling lies. The kids need to be fed something truthful and I'm willing to do that."

Brace's passion for helping troubled youth is equal or greater than his passion for the game of football.

Brace is a well-rounded individual both on and off the field. He would be an asset to any team who choices to draft him.