Considered only a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com,[2][3] Levitre was not ranked among the nation's top offensive line prospects in 2004. He chose Oregon State over LSU, Fresno State, and Arizona,[4] where his older brother, Erick, played center (2002–2006).
College career
Levitre redshirted in 2004, and played in all 11 games as a redshirt-freshman in 2005, while starting against Oregon. In his sophomore season, he started in game four of the season after senior starter Josh Linehan injured a knee in game three against Idaho. Levitre earned Pac-10 Honorable Mention as a player and academically.
During his junior year, Levitre started every game at either right or left tackle, and earned Pac-10 Conference second-team honors as selected by the coaches. For his senior season he was named to the 2008 Outland Trophy watch list, and started all 13 games at left tackle. He registered a career-high 91 knockdowns and 14 touchdown-resulting blocks and was earned All-American status by the American Football Coaches Association and Pro Football Weekly. He was considered the most-decorated Beaver offensive lineman since John Didion, a consensus All-America choice in the late 1960s.[4][5]
Levitre was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 51st pick overall in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, and was the first college guard drafted.[10] He is the sixth selection from Oregon State in Bills history, the first since Keith Ellison in 2006.[11] Counted on to start at left guard, Levitre joined a completely retooled offensive line that was expected to feature two rookie starters—him, and first round pick Eric Wood at right guard—and no players returning at the same position. He started all 16 games in 2009.[12]
On January 15, 2010, Levitre was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie team along with teammate Jairus Byrd.[13]
Tennessee Titans (2013–2015)
On March 12, 2013, Levitre reached a six-year $46.8 million deal with the Tennessee Titans.[14] Levitre underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January 2013 and still felt knee soreness just days after signing for the team.
Atlanta Falcons (2015–2018)
On September 4, 2015, the Titans traded Levitre to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2016 sixth round draft pick.[15]
In the 2016 season, Levitre and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. In the Super Bowl, the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.[16]
In 2017, Levitre started the first 12 games of the season at left guard before suffering a triceps injury. He missed the next three games before returning in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers, where he aggravated the injury. He was placed on injured reserve on January 2, 2018.[17]
On September 18, 2018, Levitre was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn triceps.[18]
On May 14, 2019, Levitre announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.[19]
