Under the Radar ’21 – Offensive Tackles
Today starts a series of stories highlighting some top talent in the Class of 2021 – who do not have many – if any offers – yet. These are all guys we feel will – especially with big senior seasons…
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Continue ReadingToday starts a series of stories highlighting some top talent in the Class of 2021 – who do not have many – if any offers – yet. These are all guys we feel will – especially with big senior seasons – have offers down the road. Right now, they are just under the radar.
Being a former, but not that effective, offensive lineman in high school, I am always going to try to give the guys in the trenches some extra love so, I am starting with the guys up front. With offenses in today’s version of high school football and the different responsibilities associated with each position, we are breaking down the offensive linemen into two groups. The interior guys – guards and centers – and the players highlighted in this story – offensive tackles.
Gavin Johnson
Gavin
Johnson
RB
Breckenridge | 2021
State
MN
– LT Breckenridge
The first thing that stood out to me when watching film of Johnson was his pad level. He has good knee bend and gets his hips low. Because of that, Johnson comes out of his stance well and gets his pad level below the defender. For a guy his size – 6’2″ 225 pounds, Johnson has quick enough feet to stay on blocks downfield. His athletic ability is a strength – especially when attacking linebackers and defensive backs on the second level. While he does not have any offers as of this story, he has plenty of DIII and DII interest.
Rogan Lilienthal
Rogan
Lilienthal
OL
Mayer Lutheran | 2021
State
MN
– RT Mayer Lutheran
Lillinethal is one of the more physical offensive tackles in the class. His physical style is perfect for a right tackle, where he spent most of his time as a junior. Not only does the 6’3″ 215-pound athlete have a strong upper body, but he also uses his lower half well with a broad base. When he locks onto a defender, he uses his wingspan and arms well. When he gets a bead on a defender, he swallows his man up. Lillinethal has caught the interest of DII and DIII schools in the Midwest.
Delano Fields
Delano
Fields
OL
Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2021
State
MN
– LT Robbinsdale Armstrong
One of the first things I noticed about Fields was his pass set. He gets out of his stance quickly and uses his kick step to get into an effective pass blocking position. The 6’4″ junior is agile enough to pull all the way across the formation and find a block. He has strong hands. When he gets his hands on a pass rusher, he locks him down. While pass blocking and blocking for the run, he keeps his hips low, giving him good leverage on defenders.
Harrison Regier
Harrison
Regier
6'5" | OL
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
– T/TE Lakeville North
Going strictly by where he lined up Regier’s actual position, most of the season was tight end. However, there was no mistaking what he was there to do – be an extra lineman in North’s run-heavy offense. Regier is adept at working off the double team to get to the next level. The 6’6″ 265-pound lineman has a powerful upper body. He can out physical defenders even if he is not the low man. For his size, Regier has quick feet and can stay with linebackers in the open field. Regier did get some time at tackle as a junior, but with a move to tackle as his primary position as a senior, college interest is sure to pick up.
Peter Grefe
Peter
Grefe
OL
Minnetonka | 2021
State
MN
– LT Minnetonka
Grefe might be the most athletic guy on this list. He has very quick feet, and his footwork is on point. It looks like he has the potential to put on a lot of good size before his senior year. He has a big, 6’3″ 260 pounds, but still somewhat thin frame. With his obvious athletic build, it did not surprise me to see how quickly he can get into a pass set. He is also able to use his large wingspan to get separation when pass blocking.