Ben Grubbs Benjamin Richard Grubbs ( born March 10 , 1984 ) is an American football guard for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for Auburn University , and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft . He is currently considered to be one of the best guards in football today . Early years . Grubbs was born in Columbus , Georgia . He was raised in Eclectic , Alabama and attended Elmore County High School where he was a standout on the gridiron as the team ' s star linebacker . Grubbs registered 150 tackles , six sacks , and an interception as a senior . A two - way star , Grubbs also played fullback , rushing for 130 yards on 28 carries , with two touchdowns . He also caught seven passes for 50 yards . As a junior , Ben managed 110 total tackles , and an interception . Grubbs also lettered as a four - year starter on the basketball team . As a senior , he was rated one of the top 10 players in Alabama by SuperPrep Magazine . Grubbs was a SuperPrep All - American and an Alabama Sports Writer ' s Class 4A All - State selection as a linebacker . At 6 - 4 , 250 as a high school senior , he was recruited as a defensive end , though . Considered a four - star recruit by " Rivals . com " , Grubbs was listed as the No . 23 strongside defensive end prospect in the nation . He verbally committed to Auburn on January 23 , 2002 , picking the Tigers over LSU and Alabama . College career . Grubbs arrived on the Plains at Auburn University as an oversized linebacker or undersized defensive end . He was redshirted for the 2002 football season , while he worked with the team ' s strength and conditioning coach to add muscle to his frame . Ben impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic , and was slated to work with as a defensive tackle the following year . Moved from defensive tackle to tight end in two - a - days . Ben played in nine games , including all of the last seven . The final game of that year would be the first of five wins in a row over bitter rival , the University of Alabama . During spring drills the following year , he moved from tight end to offensive guard , under the recommendation of Hugh Nall , his famous position coach . Ben started all 13 games during the Auburn Tiger ' s undefeated and unrewarded 2004 campaign . He finished with a 91 % overall grade , with a season - high 98 % against the University of Alabama , including 9 rodeo blocks . He posted 93 % overall mark with 2 pancakes and helped the team accumulate 404 total yards against the University of Georgia . Graded 92 % with 100 % on assignments , including 10 rodeo and 2 pancake blocks against the University of Mississippi . Ben graded 91 % or higher in all of the remaining games during the season . Again started all 12 games for the Auburn Tigers . His highlight of the year included playing a total of 74 plays versus University of Georgia , accumulating 97 % with five rodeo , two cockroach , and 1 . 5 pancake blocks . He was an important part of the line that allowed Running Back U ' s backfield to tally 388 rushing yards against the University of Kentucky . In years prior to 2006 and leading into his final season , Ben was often overshadowed by another offensive guard at Auburn , Tim Duckworth . However , in his final year , Grubbs supplanted Duckworth to make himself Auburn ' s best offensive lineman and one of the team ' s most respected players . During his career at Auburn University , Ben never missed a game and started 37 straight contests . He also completed his final two seasons as a collegian by leading the Southeastern Conference in blocking assignment percentages . During his Auburn career he had the privilege to block for NFL RBs Cadillac Williams , Ronnie Brown , Kenny Irons , and QB Jason Campbell . He also starred alongside the highly regarded left tackle for the San Diego Chargers , Marcus McNeill . Ben completed his degree from Auburn , graduating with a Bachelor ' s in Public Administration in May 2006 . During the 2006 football season , Ben Grubbs was actually a graduate student . Professional career . 2007 NFL Draft . Leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft , Ben Grubbs participated in a series of private workouts , in addition to the NFL combine . He continued to impress scouts and coaches , alike , with his strength , agility , and football IQ . Ben ' s stats from the NFL combine were impressive , with 29 bench press repetitions of 225 pounds and a 5 . 18 second 40 yard dash . Those numbers were blown away by the 5 . 1 second 40 yard dash and the amazing 35 bench press repetitions of 225 pounds , achieved at his private workout for scouts at Auburn University . Following his performance in those workouts , as well as other workouts for individual teams , and his performance in the 2007 Senior Bowl , Ben was heralded as the top offensive guard prospect in the 2007 NFL Draft by draft expert Mel Kiper . Grubbs also topped NFLDraftScout . com ' s list of offensive guards . Baltimore Ravens . Grubbs was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 29th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft . During his five years with the Ravens he started 70 of 74 games . New Orleans Saints . Grubbs signed a five - year , $ 36 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on March 15 , 2012 .