2023 Class Microscope: OL

In this 2023 class microscope, we focus on the offensive line. OL is one of the least glorified positions, but also one the most important. The OL position is a fascinating one in the sense that you don’t really need elite athleticism to be a solid player, but it most certainly helps. Combing through the 2023 class, here are some of the prospects that we will have our eyes on during the season to see how they progress. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id="146674" first="Chris" last="Moreno"], Don Bosco</strong> At 6’3 285 he has some of the best pad level out of any OL prospect in this class. He is solid as a pass blocker and run blocker and is an all-around OL with a well-rounded skillset. In run blocking, he has a quick first and has good and consistent hand placement out of any OL in this class. His hands are consistently in the right spots and he understands how to leverage that to win defensive lineman’s chest. In addition, shows solid leg drive utilizing his lower half to generate power and finish blocks to the whistle. The most impressive of his skill set was his play in pass protection. Showed the ability to be a solid anchor. Not many interior rushers at the high school defenders possess a bull rush capable of putting an OL on their back. When a player did bull rush him he showed the ability to drop his hips and reset to defeat the rush. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="146674" first="Chris" last="Moreno"] 6’3 285 OG/DT Don Bosco Prep’23 <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisMoDB51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chrismodb51</a> <a href="https://t.co/eOQWWJnkTc">pic.twitter.com/eOQWWJnkTc</a></p> — allmoneyinoscar (@Planet56k) <a href="https://twitter.com/Planet56k/status/1382391017287090183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> He also showed solid ability handling stunts/twists. Had a grasp on where to be and how to handle a pass off to keep the integrity of the pocket. This is a trait of pass protection that will benefit him as he climbs to higher levels of football. As defenses use stunts/ twists to confuse the communication of the OL. Having an OL who can handle these situations with communication and instincts only benefits the rest of the OL in terms of continuity. [player_tooltip player_id="146674" first="Chris" last="Moreno"]’s future prospects are very bright and is in the upper echelon of OL talent in this class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="183638" first="Makel" last="Davis"], St. John Vianney</strong> Standing at 6’4 270 his tape showed that he has some of the best hand placement in this class and one of the most technically sound prospects in the class. One reason we keep mentioning hand placement is that coaches consistently harp on hand placement for offensive lineman because it help with gaining the leverage battle and also helps with holding penalties. Chris Strausser offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts said on an episode of Hard Knocks " If you can’t keep your hands inside you can’t play for me". As mentioned [player_tooltip player_id="183638" first="Makel" last="Davis"] is one of the best fundamental linemen in this class. He plays with solid leverage as a run blocker and pass blocker. Does an exceptional job blocking on the run show solid footspeed and leverage when blocking the second level and in space. [player_tooltip player_id="183638" first="Makel" last="Davis"] is an intriguing prospect and could be one of the biggest risers in this class. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Check out my highlight - <a href="https://t.co/PgSmkq2s46">https://t.co/PgSmkq2s46</a> ❤️ ⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Papcun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Papcun</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/SJVHS_Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJVHS_Athletics</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/SJVLancerNation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJVLancerNation</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/SJVLancersFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJVLancersFB</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDavis23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDavis23</a>⁩</p> — [player_tooltip player_id="183638" first="Makel" last="Davis"] (@MakelDavis3) <a href="https://twitter.com/MakelDavis3/status/1466117762980454401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="181941" first="Matthew" last="Feldman"], Waldwick</strong> One thing that stands out is his aggressiveness. He’s a very good run blocker that knows how to use his lower half to create power and displace defensive players. For a guy at 6’0 would like to see him play a lot lower, would also like him to be more consistent with his hands. If he focuses on those two aspects he can be more consistent and become a solid OL prospect.