With The First Pick
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Michigan Wolverines Football center Cesar Ruiz is IOL1 of 2020 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes recovers the fumble by Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter of the game at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes recovers the fumble by Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter of the game at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Zach Charbonnet #24 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a first half touchdown with teammates while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Zach Charbonnet #24 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a first half touchdown with teammates while playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Opening the Book on Ruiz

Before becoming a standout center at the University of Michigan, Cesar Ruiz battled through hardship that molded him into the tough, hard worker he is today. Growing up in Camden, New Jersey, Ruiz was raised by a single mother after the death of his father when he was a child, he started displaying anger issues, thought to be due to depression.

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He became a high risk of obesity as a child, and his life looked like it was heading towards a downward trend; this is when his mother introduced him to the sport of football. While he took some time to mold in youth football, he was known as someone who is an advanced learner and picked up on complicated techniques and schemes quickly (via Detroit Free Press)

Ruiz was invited to take a tour of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida where he could take his football skills to the next level. This is where Ruiz finished his football career, and where he received a scholarship offer to play for the Michigan Wolverines football team.

Starting over 30 total games for the Wolverines, Ruiz was named as an All-Big Ten center, and was named as Pro Football Focus’ top pass blocking center in 2019 (via UM). He now looks to be a top-50 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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