Nate Solder

Nathaniel Perry Solder (born April 12, 1988) is an American football offensive guard and offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Colorado, and was recognized as an All-American. The Patriots picked him in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Early years
Solder was born in Denver, Colorado. He attended Buena Vista High School in Buena Vista, Colorado, where he played high school football for the Buena Vista Demons as a tight end.

College career
In the spring of 2006 Solder signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Colorado, where he played for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 2006 to 2010. After Initially red-shirting in 2006 Nate saw action at his recruited position of Tight-end in 2007 catching 3 ball for 50 yards. As a red-shirt sophomore Nate was asked to bulk up and shift from Tight-end to Tackle, it was at this point his true potential began to show immediately being inserted into the starting line and starting all 12 games in 2008. Nate's success on the offensive line continued through his Junior season again starting every game and being named a fourth-team All-American by College Football Insiders. As a senior, Solder again started every game at left tackle for the Colorado Buffaloes; Solder came to Colorado as a redshirt freshman in 2006 as a 6'7", 230-pound tight end; by 2009, he was listed as 6'9", 305 pounds.

Solder was one of three finalists for the 2010 Outland Trophy, along with Gabe Carimi and Rodney Hudson; Carimi won the award. Jon Gruden of ESPN said that Solder "has a huge upside. But remember he's a converted tight end and a work in progress."

Following Christmas 2009, he traveled to Guatemala and volunteered at an orphanage; as a sophomore, he went to Italy during the summer to help rebuild a town after it suffered many collapses from an earthquake. At CU, he regularly participated in the "Read with the Buffs" and "Buffalo Hugs" programs.

2011 NFL Draft
The New England Patriots made Solder the second offensive tackle chosen in the 2011 NFL Draft (after Tyron Smith) when they drafted him 17th overall. Solder had a private workout with Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia just a few days before the draft.

Solder signed a contract on August 4, 2011; per the new CBA, it was a four-year deal worth $8.54 million including a $4.7 million signing bonus. Solder played his first regular season game against the Miami Dolphins on September 12, 2011; he allowed just one sack against Pro Bowler Cameron Wake.

New England Patriots

 * 2011 Season

Nate Solder was on the active roster for all of the Patriots' games, and started 13 of 16 regular-season games. In some of those games he filled in for right tackle Sebastian Vollmer; when both Vollmer and left tackle Matt Light were healthy, he was used primarily as an additional tight end (making him a tackle eligible). During the regular season, Nate Solder allowed just three sacks, four pressures and 5 penalties on 880 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.