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Ben Ijalana | Guard

Team: New York Jets
Age / DOB:  (25) / 8/6/1989
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 322
College: Villanova
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Jets claimed OL Ben Ijalana off waivers from the Colts.
The 49th pick in the 2011 draft, Ijalana spent much of his first two NFL seasons on injured reserve. Pro Football Focus did grade Ijalana as a top-15 tackle during the 2013 preseason, excelling as both a run and pass blocker and playing left tackle. Ijalana can also play guard. He's worth a shot. Sun, Sep 1, 2013 05:00:00 PM

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Player News

Date:
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts G/T Ben Ijalana is healthy for training camp.

Ijalana tore his left ACL for the second time on the very first play of last year's camp. The No. 49 pick of the 2011 draft has already racked up an astonishing five surgeries during his brief NFL career. His shot at a roster spot is poor.
Source: Indianapolis Star
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 12:16:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts waived/injured G/T Ben Ijalana.

The 49th overall pick in last year's draft, Ijalana's NFL future appears dim after undergoing five surgeries already as a pro. The latest will be a reconstruction of his left ACL, which also ended Ijalana's rookie season. He underwent double hernia surgery before the 2011 draft, and two 2012 offseason surgeries on his hips. Ijalana will be on the roster bubble next year.
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 06:48:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts G/T Ben Ijalana and LB A.J. Edds are both out for the year with ACL tears.

They will be placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Coach Chuck Pagano revealed that Ijalana had just finished rehabbing from two hip surgeries as well as last October's ACL surgery to the same knee. The No. 49 pick in the 2011 draft, Ijalana was viewed as a promising swing-tackle prospect before the back-to-back ACL tears. His career is now in jeopardy. Edds played 12 games on special teams last year after being signed off the Patriots' practice squad.
Related: A.J. Edds
Source: Mike Chappell on Twitter
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 04:50:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts G/T Ben Ijalana (ACL surgery) has been sent for an MRI on his surgically-repaired left knee.

The Colts' second-round pick last season, Ijalana appeared in just four games before landing on injured reserve. A second ACL tear would jeopardize his career.
Source: Mike Chappell on Twitter
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 04:58:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts G/T Ben Ijalana (ACL surgery) told the Indianapolis Star Friday that he will be fully healed for training camp.

Ijalana tore his left ACL last October 3. The 49th overall pick in last year's draft, Ijalana should compete for a starting job in training camp. One of the guard spots would be Ijalana's best bet for playing time with Anthony Castonzo and Winston Justice locked in as Indianapolis' starting tackles.
Source: Indianapolis Star
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 05:12:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts placed G/T Ben Ijalana on injured reserve with a torn left ACL, ending his season.

The rookie had secured Indianapolis' swing tackle job before going down. The Colts desperately need starter Anthony Castonzo (ankle) to get healthy in time for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. The 49th overall pick in the draft, Ijalana was a very promising prospect and showed well in spot duty early in the year. He was probably going to be a starter in short order.
Source: Paul Kuharsky on Twitter
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 11:47:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts second-round T/G Ben Ijalana reportedly suffered ACL damage in his left knee Monday night.

Ijalana was pressed into service on Curtis Painter's blindside when fellow rookie Anthony Castonzo exited with an ankle injury. The extent of the damage in Ijalana's knee isn't know just yet, but the Indianapolis Star confirms that his season is in jeopardy.
Source: Indianapolis Star
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 06:28:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

The Colts already have second-round T/G Ben Ijalana "plugged in" as a starter.

The Polians are confident in Ijalana's ability to play right tackle, but it looks like he'll start his career at one of the guard spots. Peyton Manning will appreciate that Ijalana believes "pass protection and durability" are the best aspects of his game, and the former Villanova star will also help jump-start the inside rushing attack.
Source: Colts.com
Fri, May 6, 2011 11:06:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

The Colts have informed second-rounder Ben Ijalana that he is indeed ticketed for a move inside to guard.

Beat writers expect Charlie Johnson to move inside to left guard, so Ijalana presumably would battle an underwhelming Mike Pollak for the right guard job before Pollak takes over at center in 2012. Beat writer Phil Wilson expects Ryan Diem to keep his right tackle job, though Ijalana could be tried there down the line.
Related: Ryan Diem, Mike Pollak, Kyle DeVan
Source: Indianapolis Star
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 12:24:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Colts traded up with the Redskins to select Villanova T/G Ben Ijalana with the No. 49 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Indy surrenders the No. 53 and No. 152 picks in the draft while continuing to revamp a porous offensive line. While Ijalana does have the ability to stick at tackle, he projects as a guard for the Colts. A four-year starter for Villanova, Ijalana is a powerful drive blocker with a finishing attitude. Peyton Manning comes away as one of the biggest winners in the first two rounds of the draft.
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 07:32:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora suggested on Total Access Thursday that Villanova T/G Ben Ijalana's stock is rising to the point where he has a legitimate chance to be selected in the first round.

National Football Post draft analyst Wes Bunting recently mocked Ijalana to the Packers at No. 32, and we could see late first-round teams like the Steelers, Ravens, and Bears giving him a long look as well. Ijalana lacks ideal tackle height at under 6-foot-4, but has long arms and a Willie Colon-type look to him. There's little doubt he'll go in the top-50 picks.
Related: Ravens, Bears, Packers, Steelers
Fri, Apr 8, 2011 11:59:00 AM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

The Giants sent a large contingent to Villanova T/G Ben Ijalana's individual Pro Day Wednesday.

Ijalana was finally able to work out after double hernia surgery. Giants officials in attendance included head offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, assistant OL coach Jack Bicknell, director of college scouting Marc Ross, and scout Chris Pettit. Ijalana is expected to be selected in the 31-50 range. The Giants have the 19th and 52nd overall picks in the draft.
Related: Giants
Source: Newark Star-Ledger
Wed, Apr 6, 2011 05:45:00 PM
Ben Ijalana - G - Jets

Villanova T/G Ben Ijalana measured 6-foot-3 1/2-inch and 317 pounds at Thursday's Combine weigh-in.

A left tackle at 'Nova, Ijalana projects to guard in the NFL. With impressive 36-inch arms, his best position is probably left guard. NFL Network's Mike Mayock has suggested Ijalana could be the first small schooler drafted in April. Per SI's Tony Pauline, Ijalana will not take part in Combine drills because he's still recovering from a sports hernia.
Source: Wes Bunting on Twitter
Thu, Feb 24, 2011 12:58:00 PM