National Preps Showcase Top Performers: Offensive Line

<em>In-depth look into some of the top OL from the National Preps Showcase at Arizona Christian. </em> <strong>Luis Cordova, 2024, Salpointe Catholic</strong> The freshman was impressive throughout. Good size and frame to build on that is well-balanced and strong. He’s a plus athlete that is light on his feet and flashed good mobility both north/south and laterally. Good ability and effectiveness blocking on the perimeter and the second level, shows he can explode out of his stance and adjust to break down in space and hit his target. He’s versatile enough to play multiple spots on the OL depending on how he develops and possesses an extremely high ceiling if he continues on the same trajectory. [caption id="attachment_133599" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Alex-Doost-crop-322x212-1618951092.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-133599" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Alex-Doost-crop-322x212-1618951092-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: National Preps Showcases[/caption] <strong>Alexander Doost, 2023, Mountain Ridge</strong> The 2023 showcase MVP has ideal size and frame at 6’6” 300 lbs. with plus athleticism. He moves extremely well for his size with good lateral agility and short area quickness. He’s strong and powerful at the POA driving his legs through contact and knows how to finish. Understands how to use his leverage and shows sound fundamentals and technique. Picked up his first offer from in-state ASU several days ago and has great upside and potential as a Power 5 recruit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="100678" first="Nicholas" last="Okolita"], 2022, Casteel </strong> Okolita has continued to show improvement. He can run and displayed good feet, coordination, and body control throughout positional work. He explodes at the POA and does a good job bringing his hips and feet upon contact. He shows good consistency and effectiveness in both the run and in pass protection. Shows he can latch on and efficiently use his hands without letting the defender to get into his body. Has performed well at offseason camps and showcases. [caption id="attachment_133601" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Jai-Rodriguez-crop-322x212-1618951194.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-133601" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/AZ-NP-Showcase-Jai-Rodriguez-crop-322x212-1618951194-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: National Preps Showcases[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42808" first="Jai" last="Rodriquez"], 2022, Desert View</strong> Well-balanced and long frame at 6’6” 270 lbs. Flashed plus athleticism for his size with good mobility and lateral quickness. Also showed good bend and flexibility in the hips and ankles. Explosive and quick first step out his stance. Great foundation of talent, size, and athleticism to build on as he continues to develop. Was offered early by ASU and also has an Idaho offer. <strong>Joe Brown, 2022, Lone Peak (UT)</strong> Severely under recruited to this point given his size, talent, and potential. Great build for a college level interior OL at 6’4” 280 lbs. with room to add weight. Good natural strength and power at the POA. He has a great ability to isolate one on one and win those matchups with a combination of good technique and natural talent. Good athleticism, he flashed good feet, bend, and lateral agility throughout position drills. He’s a finisher that plays with a mean streak. One of the most slept on recruits in Utah. <strong>Brody Cutrer, 2022, Corner Canyon (UT)</strong> A versatile and athletic offensive lineman playing for one of the top programs in the country. He continuously flashed his athleticism and quick feet throughout drill work. Showed good change of direction, short area burst, and reactionary movement to maintain positional leverage on opponents. Plus flexibility in the knees, hips, and ankles. He’s well-coached and a technician when it comes to fundamentals, technique, and footwork. He’s a quality college recruit that has potential to be one of the top OL prospects in Utah. <strong>Isaiah Garcia, 2024, Cyprus (UT) </strong> A young offensive lineman with an extremely high ceiling. Great length with an athletic build at 6’5” 260 lbs. As a freshman he shows great movement and feet with his ability to pull and work to the second level efficiently and effectively. Excels when he can fire off the line and deliver contact but also displays a good ability to move his feet and match a pass rushers lateral movement to maintain positional leverage in his pass set. Great skillset at an early age. <strong>Weylin Lapuaho, 2022, Bingham (UT)</strong> Lapuaho has added weight to his already strong frame weighing in at 305 lbs. and 6’4”. He’s a dominating force with the versatility to play any spot on the line. He’s explosive out his stance and violent at the contact point using his natural power and strength. He’s always under control playing with good balance, leverage, and pad level. For his size, he’s extremely flexible in the hips and ankles. Good ability to block in space and work to the second level. Has performed well at various camps this offseason proving why he is one of the top offensive lineman in Utah and is looking to add to his early offer from University of Utah. <strong>Trevor Pay, 2022, Lone Peak (UT)</strong> Good combination of size and athleticism. He can run and showed good initial quickness out of his stance. He’s a very technically sound and well-rounded offensive lineman that does a lot of things well. He’s extremely effective with his hands and delivers a strong punch with great placement and extension. He plays with a flat back and leverage demonstrating good strength and power at the POA. Great motor, he plays with an aggressive and always attacking attitude and finishes his blocks. He’s a D1 prospect that’s flying under the radar. <strong>Taliafi Taala, 2023, Alta (UT)</strong> Elite size, frame, and length at 6’7” 280 lbs. Has an athletic and well-balanced build that could easily add weight. He’s a dual-sport athlete and his basketball background shows in his movement, feet, and lateral agility. He’s a mauler that is strong and powerful at the POA and shows he can anchor down and stop an oncoming rush. Quick hands with a hard punch and does a great job repositioning. Has a great skillset and foundation to build on as he develops. USC was the first to offer several days ago but it won’t be long before more Power 5 programs come calling given his natural ability and upside. <strong>Other Strong Performances: </strong> <strong>Andrew Hinojos, 2022, Campo Verde</strong> <strong>Jacob Bennett, 2022, Parker</strong>