CHESTNUT HILL — It’s easy to see why Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo is considered a first-round talent in next month’s NFL draft: The 6-foot-7, 313-pounder has the size, strength and footwork needed to become the latest in a long line of BC offensive linemen who have gone on to succeed in the NFL.

Showing the full range of skills at BC Pro Day Wednesday afternoon, the 23-year-old worked out in front of representatives from 17 different NFL teams — including four from the Patriots — under the practice bubble at Alumni Stadium.

“I think it went pretty well. I had about 20 minutes of total work. I think it went real well,” Castonzo said. “It was about what I expected. The coaches kind of let us know it was going to be pretty intense for that time, and we’d just get through it and do it all.”

Castonzo and the rest of the offensive line prospects spent the majority of his time working with New England offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. It was an eye-opening experience for Castonzo, who worked up a serious sweat with Scarnecchia and Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty (the only two offensive line coaches in attendance) running the drills.

“He was coaching us up,” Castonzo said of Scarnecchia. “It was like a practice. It wasn’t like he was running us through drills. It was like he was actually coaching us. It was nice. I learned some stuff today.”

In high school, Castonzo certainly didn’t look like type who would be the next great offensive line product to come out of Chestnut Hill. He wasn’t offered a football scholarship out of high school, and put in a year at prep school to draw some attention.

But he started every game as a true freshman at right tackle for BC (despite weighing just 250 pounds). He moved to left tackle his final three seasons at The Heights, and in the end, he compiled an impressive resume, starting 54 games for the Eagles and winning All-ACC honors in 2009 and 2010.

As a result, it’s no wonder he’s considered one of the top prospects in a draft that is rich with o-linemen: Along with the BC product, USC’s Tyron Smith, Florida’s Mike Pouncey, Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi, Colorado’s Nate Solder, Mississippi State’s Derek Sherrod and Villanova’s Benjamin Ijalana are all considered possible first-round selections. However, Castonzo has come on as of late with standout performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine, and the latest WEEI.com mock draft has him being taken 13th overall by Detroit.

“I think I’ve worked myself to be in that position, so I would be surprised,” he said of his position as one of the top tackles in the draft. “But it’s for the coaches and teams to decide.”

“I think Castonzo is a Top 15 pick,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. “I like him in the run game too, even though he was on the left side. He also did well at the Senior Bowl. They moved him around a lot and with the exception of a few snaps in the game, and he had a good week.”

Position-wise, Castonzo now sees himself as having some versatility, flashing an ability to move back over to the right tackle spot at the Senior Bowl. However, despite the fact that he remains a likely first rounder, Castonzo, believes there are still areas he can improve. He’s been criticized for his run-blocking skills, and says that’s been a big point of emphasis for him in the days leading up to the draft.

“I feel like I’ve improved on that even since the season — I’ve been doing a lot of technique stuff,” he said. “I kind of watched film of myself and talked to a bunch of people and found I was trying to use my hands too much in run blocking. At the Senior Bowl, I feel like I improved on that a lot, just getting body on body and staying closer to guys, and I feel like that’s something I turned from a weakness into something I could see being one of my strengths.

“I’m just trying to improve my overall technique. I’ve had a bunch of different coaches, between those who put me through drills at the combine and the drills here. My Senior Bowl coach, my coach where I’m training … I’m just trying to put all of that together and help out my technique.”

The Patriots offensive line could have some openings in 2011, and as for the prospect of working with Scarnecchia full-time, Castonzo acknowledged he had spoken with the Patriots, but at the same time, he said New England (which owns the No. 17 and 28 overall picks) is one of several teams seeking his services.

“I’ve talked to [the Patriots] — I’ve talked to a bunch of teams,” he said. “They have contacted me. I’ve talked to them. I’ve talked to just about everybody.”

With the NFLPA reportedly putting pressure on top prospects to avoid the April draft in New York, Castonzo could face a difficult decision next month: Go to the draft and fulfill a lifelong dream? Or avoid the ceremony and stick with his soon-to-be union brethen?

“It would kind of have to be a tough decision to make,” he said. “You obviously don’t want to walk into a locker room the first day and have everybody who is part of the players’ association [and] be that one guy who decided to go against them.”

But for right now, Castonzo — who struggled to get a Division I scholarship — just the simple idea of being drafted is enough.

“I was in a meeting with a coach the other day and he was like, ‘Would you be averse if we were to draft you?’ I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? It’s my dream to get drafted,’” he exclaimed. “I’m just real excited about the process.”