Under The Radar: Offensive Line – 2023

In this article, we’ll be highlighting the position group that doesn’t get as much notoriety as the skill positions, but is easily the most important position group on the field - the offensive line. However, with the offensive line being the position group with the most players on the field, it was hard to narrow it down to three for the class of 2023. With that being said, here are the three underrated offensive lineman from the class of 2023 that I wanted to highlight in this article. <strong>Under the Radar Offensive Linemen</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="243522" first="Wyatt" last="Walters"], Grandview Wolves (T)(Jr.)(78) - Walters was one of the staples for the Wolves offense in 2021 and will certainly continue to play a major role in the success of the Wolves in 2022. Walters is a player that is ranked surprisingly low given the fact he has the ideal frame (6’5, 275 lbs), production on tape, and not to mention is a major contributor for one of the better 5A programs in the state. When you look at the film of Walters, you can see the first thing that jumps out about him is the elite level of strength at the point-of-contact he displays. Shows great hand placement, strength, and technique at the point-of-contact with the defender, consistently stopping the rusher in his tracks. Displays excellent lower body strength routinely using that to drive defenders multiple yards back after contact while run blocking. Also displays a great ability to anchor against a bull rush when dropping into pass protection. Fleet-of-foot offensive lineman with great lateral agility and athleticism to consistently remain in a good position when combatting stunts, twists, or speed rushes. It’s rather remarkable that Walters isn’t ranked higher given his tape, as he is currently rated the number 13 OL and number 122 player overall for the class of 2023. If Walters continues to dominate opposing defenders, he will certainly see his stock rise. [player_tooltip player_id="247202" first="Lucas" last="Geiger"], Cheyenne Mountain Red-Tailed Hawks (G)(Jr.)(52) - Much like Walters, Geiger is another player that is surprising to see ranked so lowly. The Red-Tailed Hawks play at the 4A level of competition which is one of the higher divisions, Geiger possesses the ideal frame for an interior offensive linemen (6’5, 240 lbs), and has the production to match. When you watch Geiger on tape, you can see he displays a relentless motor as he consistently looks for more contact after winning a 1-on-1 with a defender. Shows good hand placement and strength at the point-of-contact with the defender, displaying a vice like grip when making contact. Shows excellent footwork and lateral agility when moving with defenders down field on screens, pulls, and combo blocks. Displays a good understanding of the half man relationship when working to the 2nd level on combo and dual blocks. Highly athletic OL that can quickly move downfield and close off the pursuit angles of 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Extremely aggressive blocker in power blocking schemes, consistently playing through the whistle when engaged with the defender. Geiger is currently ranked the number 14 OL and number 126 player overall but if puts more on tape his senior season, that ranking should go up. [player_tooltip player_id="247205" first="Lorenzo" last="Johnson"], Aurora Central Trojans (G)(Jr.)(55) - Johnson is a player that is probably flying under the radar on recruiting boards because he’s considered by some to be "undersized" for an interior OL (6’2, 250 lbs). However, make no mistake about it, he is a very gifted player that has the film to prove his potential as an interior OL at the collegiate level. When you watch Johnson on film, you can see he shows an unrivaled tenacity at the point-of-contact when run blocking. Extremely nimble OL that brings good power, speed, and drive when making contact with the defender in zone or gap blocking schemes. Long-limbed blocker that can win with hand placement and strength well before the opposing defender makes contact with him. High motor player that you can see is routinely making blocks down field on 2nd and 3rd level defenders, well beyond the line-of-scrimmage. Shows good ability to use his lower body strength and flexibility to anchor against a bull rush. Technically sound blocker that is rarely caught out of position by stunts, twists, and counter-moves by opposing defenders. Johnson is currently rated the number 18 OL and number 155 player overall for the class of 2023. Despite what some might say about his shorter frame, he has all the talent and production you could want from an interior OL.