PRZ Iowa | C/O 2022 Rankings | December Update

Some newcomers emerged and some existing ranked players saw their stock rise through outstanding and impactful play this fall. Take a look below to see where they landed in the 2022 position rankings update and find out what makes them so good at their craft. These Offensive Linemen had big Senior campaigns that should lead to plenty of opportunity at the next level. There are several names on this list to keep an eye on as recruiting and commitments take hold. Newcomers OL14 [player_tooltip player_id="243224" first="Nate" last="Jacobs"], 6’7 280, Urbandale, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10022151/61a43242d225a10a449ec976">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Nathanj9808">Twitter</a> Jacobs, a tower of a human being, joins the Offensive Line rankings at number 14 in the class of 2022. His size, noticeable even in his stance, draws you in on film before the ball is snapped and is distinguishable relative to other big players. There is a ton of upside to the kind of player he can develop into because of how well he moves and how quickly his coordination, motor skills, and athleticism have caught up with his frame. Jacobs’ pass set is undeniably good; he maintains 50/50 weight displacement giving nothing for pass rushers to take advantage of, covers pass rushers up with explosive drive steps, and keeps his feet active in a way that absorbs opponents’ attempts at power moves. Jacobs also has a well-trained first step on run blocks: hinging, getting an angle, and accelerating on contact. OL29 [player_tooltip player_id="243229" first="Andrew" last="Knapp"], 6’5 290, Roosevelt, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12981373/Andrew-Knapp">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/arknapp22">Twitter</a> Knapp is a little raw when it comes to the intricacies of Offensive Line play, but oh my, there is a ton to like about how explosive of an athlete he is. Knapp jumps into the rankings at number 29 and is someone who could be molded into a very legitimate anchor up front at the next level. Knapp is already a very effective blocker and wins matchups with superior athleticism; it is interesting to visualize how dominant he can be once he nails the mechanics of blocking and how to move most efficiently within the description of his job. This is made clear by the velocity with which he moves and the power he can recruit into his strikes. There are several plays in his highlights where he overwhelms defenders with how quickly he gets to them and plenty others where his strong hands take opponents right off their feet. OL31 [player_tooltip player_id="243234" first="Cole" last="Hotz"], 6’3 245, Waverly-Shell Rock, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11350932/61a0243d9680fb0ac0aae96e">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/chotz50">Twitter</a> Hotz, a menacing and relentless run blocker who projects as a Guard at the next level, helped pave the way for a Go-Hawks offense that rushed for nearly 3,000 yards at over 6 yards per carry on their way to the semifinals this fall. Hotz is vicious in the execution of his blocks and the physicality he brings to the line of scrimmage gets him into the rankings at number 31 in a very deep class of Offensive Linemen. As is the case for many Linemen who play in a run heavy, option based scheme, his pass blocking is a little rough, but there is more than enough ability on film to suggest he would pick it up quickly. Hotz gets out of his stance and opponents out of their gaps and away from the ball in a hurry. He is an ideal blocker to run Veer behind because he can get lateral down the line or up to a backer in a flash. OL35 [player_tooltip player_id="243227" first="Ethan" last="Mills"], 6’1 270, Kennedy, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12851091/619c7f276899180b24d2e9ca">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Ethan_Mills03">Twitter</a> Mills, who earned first team all-state honors during a historically good year for the Kennedy Cougars, has the kind of mobility and body control that few his size can play with. The Right Tackle comes in at number 35 in the Offensive Line rankings and projects to kick inside at the next level. His measurables and athletic skill set shout pulling Guard and his ceiling for the next level is a lot higher than his ranking indicates. Mills has exceptional footwork and is able to stabilize himself through the different movement patterns his position demands to really bring the lumber when he gets to the point of attack. This helps him move quickly, get to his assignment suddenly, and get power from the ground up when he is striking. There is no doubt he would be a monster wrapping inside or folding off-tackle. OL41 [player_tooltip player_id="243235" first="Julius" last="Harris"], 6’1 295, Burlington, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12472193/6176399e90f0540b54179dcb">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JuliusHarris68">Twitter</a> Harris is a powerhouse of an Offensive Linemen. The way he cleared space for one of Iowa’s top three rushing offenses this fall gets him into this select group of Offensive Linemen at number 41. Harris knows how to get movement and the way he locks onto defenders and steers them away from the play, often through the paths of filling Linebackers, made life very hard on front sevens this fall. What stands out most about Harris’ game and the way he attacks his blocks is his understanding of leverage. Pause his highlights in the middle of a block and admire a textbook example of how to be positioned when locked onto an opponent. Harris has his hands in tight with elbows pinned to his sides, his hips are down and engaged, and his eyes are under hand level so he can get force from his whole body. Stockrisers OL2 [player_tooltip player_id="99892" first="Hank" last="Lucas"], 6’2 290, Valley, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14518481/61c21f395b3d3b0810ceda57">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HankLucas7">Twitter</a> Lucas, a Wake Forest commit and one of Iowa’s top interior Offensive Linemen, saw his stock take a big jump over the course of his Senior campaign through well-developed on field mechanics and mature position specific technique that was executed at a very high level. There is a lot that stands out when it comes to breaking down the way he plays the game. Something that is clear right away is how clean his snaps are; he can engage with an opponent or even pull from his Center position without any disruption to the quality of his snap. What may seem like a simple thing is actually very difficult, especially at the high school level, and Lucas is a model of consistency. Just as impressive is his athleticism and the way he finishes blocks in space. He is prepared for Saturdays and is as college ready as can be. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Hank-Lucas-Valley-crop-480x316-1641415129.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-262898" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Hank-Lucas-Valley-crop-480x316-1641415129-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   OL5 [player_tooltip player_id="100104" first="Rex" last="Johnsen"], 6’5 280, Logan-Magnolia, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11419262/6169ac0c066c0201fcdedf1d">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/rex_johnsen">Twitter</a> Wyoming commit [player_tooltip player_id="100104" first="Rex" last="Johnsen"] slides up to number 5 in the updated class of 2022 Offensive Line rankings after a Senior season where he displayed a surge in athletic and position specific development that is very present on film. Johnsen is a large human and what is immediately clear when watching him play is how nimble he is and how much body control he has. The way he moves to blocks and effortlessly adjusts the position he is in on a variety of paths is very impressive. There is plenty of skill to behold in the way Johnsen executes his job. One way this is often seen is how he gets hands on, runs his feet, and pivots and hinges to position himself in such a way that keeps opponents from getting to the ball. The movements are just so efficient. Johnsen is very well suited for Division 1 football. OL7 [player_tooltip player_id="24018" first="Ben" last="Kuehnast"], 6’7 270, Humboldt, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11403045/Benjamin-Brent-Kuehnast/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/benkuehnast">Twitter</a> Kuehnast, another gigantic Iowan and in-state commit who will be playing for UNI, blocked for one of the most well-balanced and dynamic offenses around this fall. Kuehnast could very well become next in line of a series of outstanding Tackles that the Panthers have developed and turned out. He bumps up to number 7 in the Offensive Line rankings. Kuehnast’s athleticism is already caught up with his size and he is primed to take off once he gets in the college weight room and receives division 1 level coaching. He has already shown he can be a technician in pass sets and run blocks. Kuehnhast expertly uses his frame to keep pass rushers from getting the edge and similarly takes advantage of his length when run blocking to lock onto opponents in the blink of an eye. There should be no slowing down Kuehnast’s development. OL12 [player_tooltip player_id="99897" first="Ethan" last="Goodrich"], 6’6 265, City High, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11348084/Ethan-Goodrich/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ethandgoodrich">Twitter</a> Goodrich, a St. Thomas commit and a part of what was one of Iowa’s top Offensive Line units this fall, climbs up to number 12 in the 2022 position rankings. A few areas where Goodrich really excels is reaching opponents on run downs, getting out in space and finding work, and protecting his Quarterback on passing downs. He doesn’t tip his cap whatsoever in his stance and crosses the face of his opponents to create rushing lanes on a regular basis; it’s very clear that he understands how his assignment enables a play to work. City High also used a variety of screens and Goodrich was outstanding at releasing, at any point, and picking off defenders to help break plays open. Most impressive, though, is probably his pass set. Goodrich is going to make opponents go through him and that is not easy to do. OL24 [player_tooltip player_id="99898" first="Antonio" last="Espino"], 6’0 250, Ankeny, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11148472/Antonio-Espino/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/aespino67">Twitter</a> Espino is without a doubt one of the best pulling and base blocking Guards in Iowa. The way he skip-pulls out of his stance and wraps playside around the center to a target or erupts downhill from his stance to clear space for pullers to get through and create gaps is exemplary. His execution contributed to what has been one of the best Power schemes in the state for a lengthy stretch. This earns him the number 24 spot in the Offensive Line rankings and he would plug in very well to many college programs that run similar schemes right away. Espino’s efforts were also a big contributing factor to an Ankeny offense that featured an 1,800 yard rusher and 2,000 yard passer this fall. No other Offensive Line in the 5A classification can say that they blocked for both and were as efficient on the ground and through the air.