Western Slope offensive line prospects

High school football returns to Colorado in a few weeks. For some seniors, they hope to put some quality film together and get a chance to play at the next level. For many, there will be Division II, III, NAIA and other programs in the waits hoping to land a diamond in the rough, whether it’s someone who has been lightly recruited or someone who will play in the spring. In the Western Slope, there are many strong teams, and with them are some quality prospects that may have a shot to go to the next level. One of the positions riddled with quality, experienced starters coming back will be at offensive line. Here is a look at some of the prospects on the offensive line in the western slope who could rise on the recruiting trail this school year. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">David Haringer, 2021, 6’0, 268, OL/DL, Grand Junction</span></strong> The tools are there for Haringer. He’s got the size at 6-foot and 268 pounds. He is a physical threat in the run game but also does a solid job in pass protection at his right tackle spot. He does not seem to get pushed back off the line by defenders much. For him, it’s a matter of consistency. When he plays with leverage, you seem him drive through defenders and put them on their backs. Blitz pickups was also seen on the film and he does a good job blocking the right guy and leaving the right one for a teammate to pick up. There were many positive plays shown from Haringer last season. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22659" first="Raul" last="Martinez"], 2021, 5’10, 210, OL/DL, Montrose</span></strong> Martinez, ranked the No. 25 offensive lineman in the Class of 2021 by Prep Redzone Colorado, is a versatile player along the line for Montrose. He has the leverage to drive lineman off the line of scrimmage but the physical tools to stonewall them in the pass rush. His traits also make him an effective defensive lineman as well. He shows good hands and feet on the film and will be in a position to win many 1-on-1 battles. While he is listed as an undersized lineman at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, he does not look that on the film. If he continues to grow and bulk up, chances are some schools will be calling for his services, whether it’s on offense or defense. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Dymilo Miller, 2021, 6’0, 250, OL/DL, Grand Junction Central</span></strong> One of many interior linemen who possesses a good combination of size, strength and athleticism for linemen in the Western Slope. Miller is a player who does not shy away from contact, but rather embraces it. He is actively trying to put an opposing player on his back, on offense and defense. When he does engage on his blocks, he does a good job driving his feet and working to push them off the line of scrimmage. He’s a player that will play through the whistle and give the offensive line an edge to them. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Aaron Harris, 2022, 5’9, OL/DL, Palisade</span></strong> When you play in the Palisade offense that runs the ball as much as they do, you need lineman who are not only strong but quick and durable. Harris fits that perfectly as an interior lineman. He can move quickly in space, making him a viable player to get to the second level, whether it’s double-teaming up to the linebacker or pulling in space. At his size, he does a good job of staying low and playing with great leverage to win many battles inside. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Jeremiah Vasquez, 2021, 6’2, 265, OL/DL, Battle Mountain</span></strong> At times he can get too high, but with his size and strength, he can overcome that. Vasquez had multiple occasions where he drove smaller defensive tackles off the line of scrimmage. He does a good job with his hands and a nice first step that allows him to get off the ball in the run game. Vasquez is an underrated prospect, but many coaches will like his size at 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds. With more work in the weight room and on his technique, he is an intriguing prospect for smaller-level schools to consider.