Offensive line a strength at top of 2022 rankings

The Class of 2022 is shaping up to be a good one in Colorado. Many top prospects are garnering attention from top-level programs across the country and rising up the recruiting boards for many schools. One specific group that looks to be strong is the offensive line, where eight of the top 32 prospects in the class play. Out of those eight, three are ranked in the top five and six are ranked in the top 20. <h4><strong>A look at the top offensive line prospects for Class of 2022 in Colorado</strong></h4> It begins at the top with Cherry Creek tackle [player_tooltip player_id="22668" first="George" last="Fitzpatrick"], the No. 2 overall prospect in the class. If it was not for a stud running back in [player_tooltip player_id="22667" first="Gavin" last="Sawchuk"] from Valor Christian, Fitzpatrick would easily be the No. 1 prospect in the state for 2022, and he is being recruited like one. He has shared multiple offers from Power 5 schools so far and will have plenty of options to pick from. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound tackle has bulked up in his career and brings plenty of athleticism to the position, running out to be a lead blocker in the screen game and getting off the ball quickly to win physical battles in the trenches. Right behind him are two more outstanding offensive line prospects. First is [player_tooltip player_id="22669" first="Braden" last="Miller"] of Eaglecrest, currently ranked No. 3 overall in the class. He is another tackle built well at 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, and he will put smaller guys on the ground and anchor the line from his left tackle spot. Miller has a handful off Power 5 offers so far. Sitting at No. 4 is [player_tooltip player_id="22670" first="Travis" last="Gray"] of Cherokee Trail, another big offensive tackle at 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds. Gray is big and strong, which made him a bulldozer of a run blocker for Cherokee Trail, but nimble enough on his feet to get reach blocks on the edge and up to the second level. He also has some Power 5 and Group of 5 offers to mull over. One lineman from the class already committed to play at the next level is [player_tooltip player_id="22675" first="Connor" last="Jones"], the No. 9 overall prospect in the class from Palmer Ridge. Jones announced back on Dec. 24 his commitment to play for the Michigan Wolverines. He plays with great leverage at his size (6-foot-7, 290) in the run game and could stop the rush in his pass sets from the left tackle spot. Another player from Palmer Ridge to watch up front is [player_tooltip player_id="22684" first="Alec" last="Falk"], the No. 7 ranked offensive lineman and No. 18 overall prospect, who has a similar skill set from the right tackle spot. Falk is receiving interest from FBS and FCS level programs. [player_tooltip player_id="22677" first="Jake" last="Maikkula"], the No. 6 ranked offensive lineman and No. 12 overall prospect, is raking up offers so far in 2021. Already new offers have come from Minnesota, Connecticut, Harvard, Liberty, Air Force and Oregon State just in the new year, adding to a list of other FBS and FCS level programs showing interest on the recruiting trail. He showed quick feet and a physical streak in the run game from his left tackle spot this past fall. Another Valor Christian offensive lineman who is getting some attention on the recruiting trail is [player_tooltip player_id="22687" first="Kaiden" last="Parrish"], the No. 8 ranked offensive lineman in the class. The first interior lineman on this list is receiving some early attention from Wyoming and other FCS and NCAA Division II schools so far. The final offensive line prospect ranked in the top 50 for the class of 2022 is [player_tooltip player_id="58935" first="Jonathan" last="Lozano"] of Falcon. He could handle bigger defensive tackles from his guard spot thanks to his size and strength at 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, and he has enough athleticism to pull and reach block in the run game. Two more prospects that should garner some attention from this class. Douglas County’s [player_tooltip player_id="58943" first="Taylor" last="Nichols"] is one of the top centers in the class and played well during the fall season. A small-school prospect to watch is [player_tooltip player_id="58944" first="Aidyn" last="Shafer"] of Holyoke, a prospect with good size at 6-foot and 260 pounds who played well in his classification. That’s a look at some of the top offensive line prospects for the Class of 2022 in Colorado. Think you should be added to our list? Send us your information and tag us at @PrepRedzoneCO with your films, offers and more.