PRZ Iowa | 2023 Rankings | Winter Update | OL Breakdown

There is an abnormally high quantity of talented players to be found on Offensive Lines across Iowa in the class of 2023. These maulers make life very hard on defensive fronts and just as easy for teammates in the backfield. Learn about some of the top names, newcomers and stock risers, who dominate in the trenches and are names you need to know. Newcomers OL6 [player_tooltip player_id="247665" first="Kaleb" last="Cline"], Spencer, 6’5 240, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12804253/61815161bd6a6f04c0845327">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KalebCline54">Twitter</a> Cline is a downhill force for the Tigers at Right Tackle; his aggressive style of play is a perfect fit for the run heavy, option based scheme that he plays in. He pairs relentless work ethic with plenty of natural ability and jumps into the Offensive Line rankings at number 6. There are a couple of things about the way Cline blocks that pop right off the screen when watching film. One is that he creates a ton of space. His first few steps and initial drive have so much velocity. With the angles Cline gets, a Defensive Lineman would need a perfect get off to win their rep. Cline’s feet move like pistons once he gets hands on and his opponents often get taken for a ride. The second part of Cline’s game that stands out is how he is always looking for work; he really does play through the whistle. His effort is a great added benefit. OL7 [player_tooltip player_id="190445" first="Cael" last="DeFlieger"], Prairie, 6’6 310, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11791249/619177c7b3c87201448fba85">huld</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/cael_deflieger">Twitter</a> DeFlieger is a tower of an Offensive Lineman and an intimidating presence at the line of scrimmage. He moves exceptionally well and works with impressive body control at his size. That ability, which is heavily present when performing jobs like pulling and pass setting, gets him into the rankings at number 7. DeFlieger is very balanced in his stance, so when he pulls, he is able to explode through the turf, get lateral, and go. He stays very tight to the line and does a very nice job of attacking inside out to dig opponents out of gaps. DeFlieger blows people up on plays that get him wrapping around his Center. DeFlieger is also excellent proof that pass protection shouldn’t be passive. He has a top notch short set that gets him on inside gap rushers in a hurry and he does much more than stalemate them. OL10 [player_tooltip player_id="247671" first="Cavan" last="Jones"], Ankeny Centennial, 6’4 240, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11879525/617ed4e8bd746c0bb45b4fcc">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CavanJones5">Twitter</a> Jones is one of the best athletes on the Offensive Line in the class of 2023 and the Tackle is showing that he checks a lot of boxes when it comes to the kind of mobility and skill needed to excel anywhere across the front. Jones joins the position rankings at number 10 as a player who has a very high ceiling and the potential to rise even further over the next year. Something that is immediately noticeable is how patient he is in pass protection. Jones gets in his set, stays balanced, and doesn’t strike until he needs to. This approach makes pass rushers slow and gives them nothing to take advantage of. Jones forces defenders to try and go through him, which is a difficult task because he has such excellent feet and posture. Jones also does a great job of opening gaps by reaching and sealing defenders on run blocks. OL12 [player_tooltip player_id="247669" first="Ben" last="Liedtke"], Norwalk, 6’5 280, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12941516/6191cddb38634e09304c45e1">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/liedtke_ben">Twitter</a> This class of Offensive Linemen has Iowa looking like the land of giants and Liedtke is no exception. He is a big athlete whose film is evidence of a strong overall foundation of play. Liedtke grabs a spot in the rankings at number 12 and much of what he did his Junior year suggests he is on the verge of breaking into the top echelon of blockers. From his stance to the point of attack, on a run block or while setting to protect the Quarterback, Liedtke is mechanically sound; the application of position specific technique to the field is there and that is a big hurdle for the vast majority of young Offensive Linemen. His first step, the way he strikes, the way he picks up the rush, it is what you want to see. If Liedtke can come back his Senior year with increased quickness and power there will be no stopping him. OL14 [player_tooltip player_id="247664" first="Nate" last="Schneckloth"], North Scott, 6’5 230, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13210221/618160d8da511c0b101d7d50">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NateSchneckloth">Twitter</a> Schneckloth has a ton of upside and it would not be surprising to see him climb the rankings as time goes on. He comes in at number 14 as an Offensive Lineman that has a very impressive athletic skill set. The way that could evolve and flourish at the position with added size, strength, and technique makes Schneckloth one of the most interesting prospects in the class. Whether that development occurs while he is still in high school or once he gets to college, Schneckloth has division 1 ability, it just needs to be molded. He already does some things very well. Schneckloth is terrific at reaching edge defenders and washing them down to cut off defensive flow on outside runs. He is also outstanding on plays that stretch at getting to the outside shoulder of a block, hinging, and creating a running lane. Stock Risers OL3 [player_tooltip player_id="152817" first="Beau" last="Knobloch"], Winterset, 6’4 265, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13169146/617b362f4210a9163cdb61c1">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BeauKnobloch">Twitter</a> Knobloch is one of the most college ready players in the class of 2023. The first team all-state big man has a power 5 ceiling and those offers should be just around the corner. His excellent feet, mobility, and bruiser mentality move him up to number 3 in the rankings. Something that is very mature about his game that you notice right away is how he can absorb pressure and overtake opponents; it’s like trying to hit a wall, but the wall can fight back. Knobloch plays with outstanding leverage, too, and that is something a lot of young players struggle with. He keeps his hips behind him and strikes at eye level. The way he drives force into the ground on contact is very powerful. Knobloch also has a stance that doesn’t tip off run or pass; the way he can drive at an angle backwards to set swallows up opponents right at the snap. OL4 [player_tooltip player_id="152816" first="Korver" last="Hupke"], Independence, 6’3 255, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/2810/61561c95d21c96110ca74596">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HupkeKorver">Twitter</a> First team all-state and arguably Iowa’s top Guard, [player_tooltip player_id="152816" first="Korver" last="Hupke"], moves up to number 4 in the Offensive Line rankings. His dominant play in between the tackles opens up a lot of room to operate; the way he gets it done and finishes blocks is mean, nasty, and gritty. He is violent and has the exact temperament you want up front. He is an elite athlete operating in the trenches and will certainly start to see that materialize in the form of big time offers. Hupke excels across the board when it comes to Guard play, but there are two things that really stand out on film. One is how he can knock a Defensive Lineman off a block and out of their gap on a combo then climb to the correct shoulder of a Linebacker. The other is how he can pull through a gap and immediately clear it or work upfield and attach to second level defenders. OL9 [player_tooltip player_id="104801" first="Drew" last="Monsivais"], Ankeny, 6’2 275, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11881225/61990e5da676c80e9c5808ea">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Drew_Monsivais">Twitter</a> 5A all-state selection [player_tooltip player_id="104801" first="Drew" last="Monsivais"] is such an excellent fit for Ankeny’s offensive playbook. The way he can pull and the versatility of how he could pull really opened up what Ankeny could call behind such blocking schemes to confuse a defense. He moves up to number 9 in the Offensive Line rankings. Monsivais can wrap, kick out, pull play side, pull all the way around the opposite edge, and more. The athleticism required to do that, effectively and at a high level, is often overlooked and taken for granted. It is actually very hard to do, extremely impressive, and can put an offense over the top. Monsivais is also a beast on down and base blocks. The way he pounds his insteps and places hands low and inside snaps opponents out of leverage, gets them on skates, and puts them in the ground. He’s a bully up front. OL15 [player_tooltip player_id="152825" first="Ryan" last="McDonough"], Wapello, 6’2 285, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13328294/616f92ba6e8b800068a7f8e7">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMcDonough88">Twitter</a> McDonough moves up to number 15 in the Offensive Line rankings after a season where he showed off just how powerful and functionally strong he is. The way he locks on in close quarters and drives opponents into the ground or strikes opponents in space and sends them flying is impressive. McDonough has made a habit of throwing defenders around. He gets all of his weight behind his hands, builds up a ton of force, and you can tell those who are on the receiving end are jarred and disoriented by those punches. It is impressive how he neutralizes all momentum an opponent comes at him with and stays on the attack. McDonough is also deceptively quick. He is one of the better Linemen you will see at selling a block, releasing on a screen, and getting upfield for backs and receivers to work behind. OL16 [player_tooltip player_id="152822" first="Malakai" last="Imsirovic"], Urbandale, 6’3 270, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GMSKW">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MalakaiImsirov1">Twitter</a> Imsirovic is one of the more impressive Centers in the state. He moves up to number 16 in the rankings and it is an ascent that shouldn’t slow down any time soon. A Center that consistently gets clean snaps and blocks really well is an asset. A Center who can consistently get clean snaps and pull, climb, slide or any number of other advanced responsibilities is a weapon. Many young Centers are limited in the angles they can take as they are getting the snap back, Imsirovic is already doing it all. He infuses a lot of possibility into Urbandale play calling with that kind of ability. He is strong at the point of attack and athletic in space, too. So he doesn’t just get there, he gets there with authority. He can also take Defensive Tackles one on one in pass protection, which is another thing young Centers often struggle with.