3 Offensive Linemen Whose Name You Need to Know
Jackson Hoshor, Bishop Miege High School. 6’2 255 OL There’s an underlying theme in Jackson Hoshor’s game, and its precision. This is not to say that Hoshor’s game lacks power, but when an offensive lineman displays such impressive ease of…
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Continue ReadingJackson Hoshor, Bishop Miege High School. 6’2 255 OL
There’s an underlying theme in Jackson Hoshor’s game, and its precision. This is not to say that Hoshor’s game lacks power, but when an offensive lineman displays such impressive ease of movement and control, it’s an attention grabber to say the very least.
Hoshor’s film was fun to watch, as there was something noteworthy in every phase of the snap at right guard. He absolutely fires off the ball, getting into his shuffle and behind his pads in a blink. There is no wasted motion on his pulls, and he possesses impressive fluidity turning and moving across the line. In the open field, Hoshor uses very good balance and control to square up his target and put an abrupt end to their relevance in the play.
As mentioned, Hoshor is more than a purely finesse lineman. With quickness that affords him opportunities to initiate contact in pass pro as well as in the run game, Hoshor flashes some pop, firing off the ball low, and taking immediate control of his assignment upon contact. Additionally jumping out in Hoshor’s film is an encouraging propensity for nastiness in the way he finishes plays.
Any offensive line coach that understands the components of a productive unit wants players defensive linemen absolutely detest playing against. Quick, active, aggressive, low, and difficult to catch out of position, Hoshor should be on the wishlist of quite a few college coaches this season.
Josh Bichelmeyer, St James Academy. 6’3 265 OL
There aren’t too many high school seniors that are built like grown men, and when you throw in impressive agility and a nasty demeanor, it’s easy to see why St James’ Josh Bichelmeyer has a chance to dominate this season.
Bichelmeyer’s movement in the open field as well as when pulling from his right tackle position is very impressive for a kid his size. He covers a lot of ground with a long, fluid stride for the position, and flashes the athleticism to lead on long runs when he gathers a head of steam. There is some violence in his hands when they land accurately, at which point his ability to overwhelm and unequivocally erase opposing defenders from a given play come to light.
There are physical offensive linemen, and then there are offensive linemen that play the game in a foul mood, and the film suggests Bichelmeyer falls into the latter category. When his feet are under him and working in unison with his hands, he allows himself to unleash the full fury of his upper body strength, and toss opposing defenders around at will.
You can never have enough tone setters on the offensive line, and Josh Bichelmeyer is the type of player that will bring a will to break will to every football game he suits up for. That tenacity coupled with power, and sneaky athleticism should make him a popular name amongst college coaches this fall.
Karson Russell, Hays High School. 6’1 250 OL
There are many instances in which height is not only an overrated measurable in football, but a so-called lack of it is part of what makes a player dangerous. It didn’t take too long after turning on Hays left guard Karson Russell’s film to discover yet another one of those instances.
Imagine a 6’0 fire hydrant on a conveyor belt shifting rapidly in every direction, and you’ll have a good idea of what opposition defenders have to contend with when facing Russell in terms of his stoutness and quickness. As is usually the case with linemen with a wrestling background, his upper and lower body work in unison at the point of contact, making him very difficult for opponents to out-position, and because he can turn his hips so fluidly, he flashes the ability to completely overwhelm when asked to seal or pick up stunts.
The Hays product’s relatively shorter reach is negated first and foremost by his core strength and natural center of gravity, which make him difficult to move. When he has the opportunity to attack his assignment is when the fun starts, as he can effortlessly get under their pads and deliver a jarring blow. Seldom does the defender unfortunate enough to be on the wrong end of this not hit the turf.
Karson Russell is the type of player you root for to defy expectations, but quickly realize expectations should have been set a lot higher to begin with. He passes the eyeball test with flying colors, but it is the eyeball test administered seconds after hitting the play button on his highlight reel. If you’re a college coach and he ends up in your conference, buy more ice baths…or be the one to sign him.