Great Wall of The Garden State, 2022 Offensive Tackles to Watch

Offensive tackles are key to any offense, with being able to set the edge and control the outside in the run game or whether showing the athletic ability and footwork in pass pro protection, good offensive tackles are hard to come by. The ability to kick slide and anchor versus an oncoming defensive end who oftentimes is considered more explosive and athletic of the two in battle, but nowadays you see offensive tackles being just as athletic as their defensive lineman counterparts. Let’s take a look at five 2022 offensive tackles to watch this upcoming season from the state of New Jersey! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="107409" first="Nelson" last="Monegro"] 6-7 280 Union City High School</strong> The athletic Rutgers commit demonstrates good body control and good hand placement in the run game which allows him to move people off the line of scrimmage and has a nasty demeanor when finishing blocks. He demonstrates the ability to jump set in pass protection and lock-on and take control of the defensive end. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115060" first="Joe" last="De Croce"] 6-6 290 Northern Valley Regional High School-Demarest</strong> The Rutgers commit is an absolute mauler in the run game, demonstrates good flexibility transitioning in and out of stance, and shows the awareness to adjust his path when reaching second-level defenders. He is precise and confident in his mechanics when in pass pro, has short quick steps to set up, and shows good lower body strength to anchor against bull rushers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27982" first="Vince" last="Carpenter"] 6-6 285 Red Bank Catholic High School</strong> A strong powerful offensive tackle that has the ability to be explosive when finishing through his blocks, unlocking his hips, and going through the defender makes him a key cog in the run game. He demonstrates to have "heavy hands" in pass protection, striking and shocking the defender upon contact. <strong>Matthew Fries 6-5 280 Cranford High School</strong> An athletic big man whose brother Will is a 2021 NFL draft prospect who played offensive tackle at Penn State, is patient and precise in pass protection which allows him to set quickly and effectively in his set. He demonstrates the ability to quickly reach and seal the defensive end on outside runs and shows good body control. <strong>Jaden Wedderburn 6-4 295 Peddie School </strong> He is physical at the point of attack and gets into the defender with precise hand placement and consistent leg drive to move defensive lineman from point A to point B against their will. His physicality of play translates to his pass protection as well and looks for contact, he finishes off blocks with a nasty demeanor.